Replace Water Heater Element Without Draining

How to replace a heating element without draining the tank.

Replace water heater element without draining.

Slip a heating element wrench onto the element if your water heater has a screw in type element. Connect a garden hose to the water heater s drain valve and run the hose to a nearby floor drain or outdoors. Similar to the way in which oven heating elements work the heating elements in a water heater heat up when electrical current passes through them. If you d like to give it a try the video below will show you how.

Shut off power and drain the tank before removing the old elements and replacing them. To drain a water heater start by turning it off and let the water cool for a few hours. This is a specialty tool with a wide mouth designed to fit over the element s nut in a tight. It is possible to change your water heater s heating element without draining your tank.

Unlike gas water heaters that have gas burners electric water heaters rely on a pair of upper and lower metal heating elements to heat the water. If you need to replace the heating element in your electric water heater you may be thinking that you need to first drain the tank. Drain the tank. Regular maintenance will extend the life of your water heater and some repairs such as replacing a pressure relief valve or heating element are pretty simple.

Once the water in the heater has cooled turn the cold water intake valve off and run some hot water from a faucet in your house to empty out excess water in the pipes. Although keep in mind that it can be a bit more challenging. However if you have a leak if your water heater is older than 8 12 years or you just wish to upgrade and cut your energy expense it is time for a new heater. The water inside the tank may be over 120 degrees fahrenheit even with a failed.