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How difficult is it to install a tank gas water heater? Update! Sharkbite rules
Posted on 11/23/22 at 1:35 pm
Posted on 11/23/22 at 1:35 pm
Looking like I will be getting a new water heater for Christmas this year. One of ours is leaking.
Plumbing company said it would be $2500-3500 to install it (everything) for a 50 gallon tank water heater.
Lowes has them for $700 (rounding up for taxes).
It's 3 connections that I can see. Cold in, hot out and the gas line.
Is that it?
what am I not anticipating? I know it will be a huge pain to get the old one out of the attic, but I do have full sets of stairs to the attic.
Plumbing company said it would be $2500-3500 to install it (everything) for a 50 gallon tank water heater.
Lowes has them for $700 (rounding up for taxes).
It's 3 connections that I can see. Cold in, hot out and the gas line.
Is that it?
what am I not anticipating? I know it will be a huge pain to get the old one out of the attic, but I do have full sets of stairs to the attic.
This post was edited on 12/11/22 at 4:36 pm
16
Posted on 11/23/22 at 1:59 pm to bbvdd
I have two brand new water heaters sitting next to my two water heaters in my attic. I inquired with a plumber and told him all he had to do was connect them. He did not have to put the two news ones in the attic and he did not have to take the two old ones out of attic.
He wanted $600 each to make the connection. I told him he was crazy. I did the same thing a few years back at a previous house and the plumber charged me $100 cash to do it.
I have sweated copper before and it is not a difficult thing to do.
He wanted $600 each to make the connection. I told him he was crazy. I did the same thing a few years back at a previous house and the plumber charged me $100 cash to do it.
I have sweated copper before and it is not a difficult thing to do.
This post was edited on 11/23/22 at 2:00 pm
Posted on 11/23/22 at 2:14 pm to bbvdd
quote:
what am I not anticipating? I know it will be a huge pain to get the old one out of the attic, but I do have full sets of stairs to the attic.
Assuming you’re accounting for the hassle of getting them in/out, the only real thing is if the connections need to be moved or rerouted. Otherwise, yes it’s pretty simple.
Most people can’t do it, and the plumber is both charging for that (ie most people would have to pay it) or he’s offsetting the time it’ll take him to do vs another job he would make more. You may have better luck getting a helper or guy on the side to do it for cash after hours. Especially if you get them up there and all he has to do is tie them in.
Posted on 11/23/22 at 4:04 pm to bbvdd
Hint: just leave the old one in the attic after you install the new one.
Posted on 11/23/22 at 4:37 pm to bbvdd
Double check that the T&P valve is the same location as the existing one (either side or top mount), i would get new flex lines as well. Do you have a PRV on ypur house? If so you need to put an expansion tank. Is it gas or electric?
This post was edited on 11/23/22 at 4:38 pm
Posted on 11/23/22 at 5:01 pm to bbvdd
We had a handyman type guy change ours for $1k installed. He got the water heater from a commercial place not a box store. He also fixed our vent no charge.
Posted on 11/23/22 at 5:04 pm to bbvdd
I installed one a month ago, took all of 45 minutes and most of that was replacing the flex pipe.
Posted on 11/23/22 at 5:11 pm to Zappas Stache
I do not have flex pipe. It’s all copper.
I’m replacing with the same unit so everything should align up just fine. If not it won’t be enough to affect much, I don’t think.
I’m replacing with the same unit so everything should align up just fine. If not it won’t be enough to affect much, I don’t think.
Posted on 11/23/22 at 5:16 pm to bbvdd
quote:
so everything should align up just fine.
Good luck, that can be a challenge.
Posted on 11/23/22 at 10:18 pm to bbvdd
I don’t understand putting these thing s in the attic. Makes no sense
Posted on 11/23/22 at 11:18 pm to bbvdd
B&d plumbing just installed a new 50 gallon for me for like $1800. Mines in the attic too, and the ceilings are vaulted so it’s even harder to get around up there. Get another quote baw
This post was edited on 11/23/22 at 11:19 pm
Posted on 11/24/22 at 5:10 am to bbvdd
The connections aren’t difficult but are very expensive if not done right. The money issue is the PIA of switching them out.
The quote is still too high.
The quote is still too high.
Posted on 11/24/22 at 5:43 am to bbvdd
I’ve done 2. One exterior and one interior.
I ran threaded copper flex from water heater to a threaded fitting into pex. Works like a charm and cost me around $50.
For the gas line, I used CSST from my black iron to the bottom of the tank. You’ll need to get proper fitting that lets you connect to tank and tighten then tightens down on CSST line if in cramped quarters.
Don’t forget Teflon tape for water lines and the gas puddy for gas connections.
I ran threaded copper flex from water heater to a threaded fitting into pex. Works like a charm and cost me around $50.
For the gas line, I used CSST from my black iron to the bottom of the tank. You’ll need to get proper fitting that lets you connect to tank and tighten then tightens down on CSST line if in cramped quarters.
Don’t forget Teflon tape for water lines and the gas puddy for gas connections.
Posted on 11/24/22 at 9:50 am to Shexter
quote:
just leave the old one in the attic after you install the new one.
Solving modern problems with modern solutions
Posted on 11/26/22 at 8:40 am to bbvdd
The most difficult part for me was reconnecting the vent pipe. The new water heater vent didn’t align with the old one and it was difficult to get a pipe that articulated to the new position. Royal PIA.
Posted on 11/26/22 at 9:33 am to bbvdd
I have a plumber I've been using for years. He charges me by the hour, not the job.
Ask those overpriced guys what their hourly rate is.
Ask those overpriced guys what their hourly rate is.
Posted on 11/27/22 at 9:08 am to bbvdd
I've done both tank and tank less. The tankless was easier but had more new fittings I had to install I wasn't as familiar with due to codes.
A tank water heater is less than an hour one man job with soldering and half that time with sharkbite
A tank water heater is less than an hour one man job with soldering and half that time with sharkbite
Posted on 11/28/22 at 1:33 pm to bbvdd
I replaced ours last year. It's really not that hard and mine is upstairs, in the attic, and is a gas heater.
It's not fun getting the old down the stairs or the new up the stairs and into the attic, but got it done in a few hours with a teenage helper.
Draining the old took longer than I expected, but everything else ran smooth.
I would highly recommend going to flex fittings for both water lines and the gas line if a gas heater, makes this situation easier.
It's not fun getting the old down the stairs or the new up the stairs and into the attic, but got it done in a few hours with a teenage helper.
Draining the old took longer than I expected, but everything else ran smooth.
I would highly recommend going to flex fittings for both water lines and the gas line if a gas heater, makes this situation easier.
Posted on 11/30/22 at 9:52 am to bbvdd
Mine is 19 yrs old and finally showing signs of dying. I've been lucky it hasn't failed/leaked sooner.
Plumber I've used a few times in the past just quoted me $600 for the labor and will haul away the old heater. I've changed out electric water heaters but don't like messing with gas so I think that's a deal.
On this topic, everyone I'm checking with says Rheem Professional grade (not Performance grade at big box home improvement stores) is the only way to go.
Plumber I've used a few times in the past just quoted me $600 for the labor and will haul away the old heater. I've changed out electric water heaters but don't like messing with gas so I think that's a deal.
On this topic, everyone I'm checking with says Rheem Professional grade (not Performance grade at big box home improvement stores) is the only way to go.
This post was edited on 11/30/22 at 9:54 am
Posted on 11/30/22 at 10:26 am to bbvdd
If you go about removing your old one, I’ll give you a tip. Instead of trying to drain the tank prior to moving it (good luck) pump it out from the top.
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