Putting a heating element in a water heater is a job that you can do in about an hour using a few common shop tools. The heating element inside the water heater will wear out over time, due to minerals and organic compounds in the water adhering to the metal rods of the element and causing it not to work properly. You should be able to replace the screws holding the heating element inside of the tank without too much trouble. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Turn the breaker switch off for the water heater circuit at the breaker box before attempting to install a new heating element. Unfasten the screws on the water heater cover panel with a screwdriver and set the panel out of the way.
2. Pull the insulation back and take the plastic protective cover off the front of the heating element. Turn the water off by closing the shut off valve at the top of the water heater and attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank.
3. Place the other end of the garden hose in a place where you can safely drain the water out of the tank. The end of the hose needs to be lower than the drain valve.
4. Open the drain valve and let the tank empty to a point below the heating element in the tank. Close the drain valve when the tank has emptied enough and remove the garden hose.
5. Loosen the screws on the front plate of the heating element with a screwdriver and remove the electrical wires from the screws. Unfasten the heating element from the water heater using a socket wrench and take the heating element out of the tank.
6. Put the new heating element in the water heater and attach it using the socket wrench. Attach the electrical wires, refasten the screws and replace the plastic cover and insulation over the heating element.
7. Fasten the cover panel to the water heater and turn the water on by opening the valve on top of the tank. Flip the breaker switch on for the water heater circuit at the breaker box.
Tags: heating element, water heater, drain valve, garden hose, breaker switch, breaker switch water, circuit breaker