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Water Heater Installation - Not as easy as it looks.

If you arrived here from my Mobile Home Doctor website you know I have some experience with replacing water heaters. When the water heater in my house recently failed I replaced it. I thought it would be a two hour job; it took seven! I was reminded that instructions for how to install a water heater don't begin to describe the reality of the experience.

The fact is, every house is different so a water heater installation "cookbook" can only go so far. In addition, repair people forget the tools, techniques, and assumptions they bring with them to a job so it is hard for them to remember the many things they do without thinking about it. I had been away from this kind of work for several years so I was forcefully reminded of what I had forgotten.

I think you can learn two valuable things by reading about my experience:

  1. You will have a much better idea of what you are getting into if you plan to replace your water heater yourself.
  2. You will understand part of the reason the repair company charges so much to do the work for you.

Disclaimer: There are many codes, rules, and regulations related to installation of water heaters, especially gas fired ones. They are different from location to location. You will have to be sure you or your repair person do what is required where you live.

Do you really need a new water heater?