Is Installing a Water Heater a DIY Project?
Replacing a water heater is a big job which requires strength and skill. When your water heater goes out and it no longer makes sense to repair it, you’ll need to decide if replacing your water heater is a job you want to tackle on your own or if you want to hire a professional to complete the job. To make that decision, you need to correctly assess what goes into replacing your water heater and decide if you really want to tackle installing your water heater as a DIY project.
3 Major Considerations for Water Heater Installation
Factors to Consider in DIY Water Heater Installation
There are several factors to account for when you consider taking on a DIY water heater replacement. These include three main elements: The Heavy Lifting. The Plumbing. The Trash Disposal. When you partner with Olde Town Plumbing for water heater replacement, we take care of you.
Olde Town Plumbing Does the Heavy Lifting
- We haul your new water heater to your home.
- We move your old water heater out of the way.
- We lift and place your new water heater into the proper location (including difficult locations like upstairs, in the attic, or in snug closets).
- We haul your old water heater away.
Our Experts Handle the Water Heater Plumbing Issues
- We correctly drain your old water heater.
- We carefully loosen the supply line fittings.
- We install new supply lines to guard against leaks.
- We install or replace a drain pan if needed and direct drainage to a proper location.
- We position, install, and program your new water heater.
- We bring your unit up to code with an expansion tank.
- We utilize a stand to bring gas water heaters up to code.
- We handle any other plumbing fitting issues that present themselves during the replacement.
- We can transition your home from a tank to tankless water heater if desired.
The Olde Town Plumbers Take Care of Trash Disposal
- We haul away your old tank or tankless water heater.
- We remove and dispose of packaging from your new water heater.
- We clean up any water dripped while draining or moving the old water heater.
- We leave the area clear of debris common in plumbing replacements.
At Olde Town Plumbing we make getting your water heater replaced easy.
All you need to do is make the phone call to schedule your service appointment in Boerne, Comfort, and the surround area.
We do the rest.
Ready to get started? Give us a call today at 830-446-5227.
Providing water heater services near Boerne in the Texas Hill Country
Bexar and Kendall County including: Bergheim, Boerne, Bulverde, Comfort, Fair Oaks Ranch, Helotes, Leon Springs, Shavano Park, Sisterdale, Stone Oak and Timberwood Park
What's involved with replacing a water heater?
Still Planning to DIY Your Water Heater Replacement? Here’s an Overview of the Project.
For those who are strong and like working with their hands, replacing your own water heater may be a viable option. But many people don’t realize before they start the extent of the work they will need to do before they have their hot water going again.
If you know your water heater isn’t just experiencing one of the common repair problems that can be easily fixed, and you decide to tackle installing your new water heater as a DIY project, you’ll need to be ready for several hours, perhaps even an entire Saturday, of dedicated work. So, we would like to provide you with the scope of work you’ll be facing when you decide on replacing your water heater yourself.
The Heavy Lifting You'll Do With DIY Water Heater Replacement
Water heaters are heavy and bulky. It often takes brute strength to maneuver the water heater into place. And replacing a water heater requires moving the water heater multiple times.
1. Getting the water heater home
You’ll need to buy a water heater and get it from the store to your home. Even if you have help loading at the store, unloading the water heater and getting it into your home will be up to you.
2. Moving the used water heater out of the house
You’ll need to move the old water heater out of its current location and get it out of your house. Used water heaters will weigh more than they did when they were new. Some water will remain in the unit even after it is drained. And, mineral build up in the water heater adds to the weight of the old unit.
3. Moving the new water heater into place
Once you’ve moved the old unit out of the way, you’ll need to get the new water heater positioned correctly. Depending on the location for the unit, this can be challenging. Closets can make for a tight fit and attic locations mean lifting the unit up the stairs and through small openings.
4. Moving old water heater to disposal location
After the project is complete, you’ll need to get the old water heater to the trash. That means requesting a special bulky trash pick-up and hauling the unit to the curb. Or it means loading the old unit back into your vehicle and taking it to the dump or recycle station. Either way, you’ll be lifting the heavy old unit multiple times.
Plumbing Issues You’ll Handle when Installing a Water Heater Yourself
- Draining the old water heater.
- Disconnecting the old unit without tweaking the water lines even if connections are corroded.
- Correcting any fitting issues with the water lines.
- Investigating current plumbing regulations and updating your plumbing during installation.
- Installing an expansion tank for the water heater.
- Installing new supply lines, drain pan, or stand as needed.
- Correctly completing the installation and programing the unit.
- Connecting the gas lines and venting correctly if you have a gas water heater.
Trash You’ll Be Left with After a DIY Water Heater Project
- The old water heater tank
- The packaging from the new water heater
- Wet floors from draining and moving the old water heater
- Incidental debris from the installation process
Deciding To Schedule or DIY Your Water Heater Replacement
In a nutshell, that’s what the water heater replacement job will entail. And you may be one of those handy folks who love taking on DIY home projects. If you are, we encourage you to go for it.
But if the process sounds a little daunting, we’re here to help.
You can give us a call to schedule your service appointment—including a free, no-obligation estimate. And our 24-hour emergency plumbers in Boerne, TX are available to help when your water heater goes out at an inconvenient time.
Reach out to our friendly office staff when you’re ready to schedule your water heater replacement service. 830-446-5227.
Need a Different Plumbing Service?
Extend the life of your faucets by replacing o-rings, cartridges, and other parts that wear out.
Combat the effects of hard water and preserve the life of your plumbing with a water softener.
Achieve optimal water heater performance through regular maintenance, repair or replacement.
Prevent plumbing emergencies with proactive drain cleaning and drain line repairs or replacement.
Prevent damage to your home by eradicating leaks with flexible PEX water lines or new drain lines.
Conserve water and protect your home with reliable repairs and installation of low-flow toilets.
Enjoy the efficiency of natural gas and propane appliances with expert gas line installation and repair.
Sewer Repairs
Protect your home and family with dependable sewer line inspections, repairs and replacement.
Customer Testimonial
Our Plumbers
What Sets Us Apart
Friendly
When you have a plumbing problem, the last thing you want is to deal with a rude service technician. We strive to provide good old-fashioned service like was common in old times. We know our customers are our Hill Country neighbors and friends, and we treat you with the kindness and respect you deserve. We really mean it when we say, “How can we help?”
Honest
We value honesty and integrity in our own lives, and we bring those values into our plumbing company as well. When you choose Olde Town Plumbing, you’re choosing plumbers who won’t try to upsell you on products or services that you don’t need. We’ll provide honest evaluations of your plumbing problems, reasonable solutions, and fair pricing for the needed for repairs.
Professional
You can count on our plumbing professionals to arrive on time and to work efficiently and competently. To keep your plumbing inconvenience minimal, we’ll give you a call when we’re headed your direction, so you know exactly when to expect us. And with our fully stock service vehicles, we won’t waste your time running back and forth to the home improvement store for parts.