Removing a water heater can be a challenging task, and it is important to follow proper safety procedures to avoid injury. You can see how we took this task on in the video below. Please note that there are many different kinds of water heaters so you circumstances may be different.

Here are detailed instructions for removing both gas and electric water heaters:

How to remove a GAS water heater

1. Turn off the gas supply to the water heater by turning the valve on the gas pipe clockwise.
2. Drain the water from the tank by attaching a hose to the drain valve located at the bottom of the tank and directing the hose to a floor drain or outside.
3. Disconnect the gas line from the water heater by removing the fittings that secure it to the gas valve and gas control valve.
4. Shut off the cold water supply to the tank by closing the valve located on the cold water pipe above the tank.
5. Disconnect the hot water outlet and cold water inlet pipes from the tank by loosening the fittings with a pipe wrench.
6. Remove the mounting straps or braces that secure the tank to the wall or floor.
7. Carefully lift the tank out of its location and remove it from the premises. It is recommended to use a dolly or lifting straps to assist with moving the tank, as it can be very heavy. Use caution when lifting and transporting the tank to avoid injury.

How to remove an ELECTRIC water heater

1. Shut off the electricity to the water heater by turning off the circuit breaker or removing the fuse from the electrical panel.
2. Drain the water from the tank by attaching a hose to the drain valve located at the bottom of the tank and directing the hose to a floor drain or outside.
3. Disconnect the hot water outlet and cold water inlet pipes from the tank by loosening the fittings with a pipe wrench.
4. Shut off the cold water supply to the tank by closing the valve located on the cold water pipe above the tank.
5. Remove the mounting straps or braces that secure the tank to the wall or floor.
6. Carefully lift the tank out of its location and remove it from the premises. It is recommended to use a dolly or lifting straps to assist with moving the tank, as it can be very heavy. Use caution when lifting and transporting the tank to avoid injury.

Note: If the water heater is located in a confined space, such as a closet, it may be necessary to remove the door or other barriers to access the tank. Be sure to follow all local building codes and regulations when removing a water heater. It is also a good idea to have a professional plumber handle the removal if you are not confident in your ability to do it safely.