How to Change a Hot Water Tank

Make sure you have all the proper tools and materials you need to properly install a Hot Water Tank. Do the necessary research before attempting to install your hot water tank.

First you're going to want to turn off the gas, power, and water supply to the tank. Then put on a hose on the bottom on the hot water tank to drain the left over water out of the tank. Now you will need to take off the inlet and outlet nipples off the water tank, you will need to use two pipe wrenches for this.

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If it's a gas water heater use your two pipe wrenches and disconnect the union, that is between the supply pipe and the inlet pipe or it might be a flared fitting. You can take the flue hat off too as well since the tank is not running.

Now that you tank is disconnected move it out of the way, and put your new one where the old one was. Make sure that you can get to all the dials a buttons properly when you put the tank back. A good rule of thumb is to use about 6 inches around. So this means make sure that there is nothing flammable within 6 inches of your tank. Make sure too that it sits level on the floor, you may have to make some shims.

Put Teflon tape on the inlet and outlet nipples and then put them into the new tank. Make sure that the blue goes into the cold and the red goes into the hot. Also be sure that all the arrow indicators are all pointing in the proper direction of flow.

Attach flexible hoses on the inlet and outlet water pipes. If you don't see a supply shut off valve on the cold side, I would install one, just to cover yourself. After you are sure that everything is connected back properly, open the valve to fill the tank up, while this is happening i would open up a few hot water faucets just to get some of the air out.

Put back together the gas pipes just like they were before... you might need to change it a bit, but not too much. Make sure that you use Teflon tape and pipe dope on each fitting, then tighten them back together with your pipe wrenches. Grab your manufacturer instructions to connect the gas supply tubing. After the gas is on test all your joints, making sure that there are not leaking. You can use soapy water to help with this; it will just bubble for you. Then you may need to go back and crank on them again.

How to Change a Hot Water Tank

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS

Why You Need to Change Your Water Filter Cartridge - 3 Facts You Need to Know

Fact #1 - Any Type Water Filter Cartridge Work

The need to filter water for home use is well known and most people are concerned about the local water supply. There are many filtering systems on the market. They remove viruses, chemicals, bacteria, chlorine, microorganisms, and other impurities. Home water filters come in standard sizes and when you check the size of your filter cartridge then you can use any brand that has the correct size. The exact cartridge that your home water filter used when you got it isn't necessary, as long as it is the correct size. But if you feel safer using the exact filter then that is your best choice.

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Fact #2 - The Best Kind Of Cartridge

The systems use these types of water filter cartridge(s): surface filters and depth filters. Ceramic filters are considered one of the best to filter bacteria, cysts, and pathogenic agents. Sediment water filter cartridges only remove sediment.

Fact #3 - Replacement Is Very Important

Whichever water treatment system you are using in your home, in order to always insure that you are cleaning your water adequately, replacing the water filter cartridge is very important. Check the manufacturer's instructions and change the cartridge as recommended.

The Bottom Line

Even the #1 rated home water filter will not do you any good if you don't replace the cartridge after the recommended period of time.

When you are ready to buy your replacement water filter cartridge it is a good idea to compare prices of various sellers on the Internet. Even if you are sticking with the name brand of the system you have. You may still find a more economical price for it by researching it. The most important point: is to change the cartridges as often as is recommended in order to get the best performance out of your system.

If you really want to be safe consider an auto ship program where you are mailed a replacement water filter cartridge every few months automatically as recommended by the manufacturer of your water filter.

Why You Need to Change Your Water Filter Cartridge - 3 Facts You Need to Know

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