Traditional tank water heaters have a standard lifespan of between eight and 12 years. If yours is approaching that window, it might be wise to keep an eye on the old work horse for any signs of leaking or strange noises. If a water heater installation is in your future, here’s what you can expect from the pros completing the job. 

The first step in water heater installation

One of the first and most important things your plumber will do during water heater installation is to determine if your water heater runs on natural gas, propane, or electricity. Any of these fuel sources will need to be turned off for the removal of the old water heater and the installation of the new one. There is also a shut off valve on the tank if yours uses natural gas or propane. Your plumber will also shut off the main water supply while they work on the tank. 

Draining the tank during water heater installation

The next step is to drain the tank. To do so, they will attach a section of hose to the tank and via the drain valve, drain the remaining water still in the tank from it. They will use enough hose to send however much water the tank still contains outside. 

Cutting the lines

Next, your plumber will detach the vent hood from the vent pipe and then cut the water lines and free the old tank from the space. They will then add a new valve for pressure and temperature relief to your new hot water heater, attach a discharge pipe, typically made of copper, and attach the other pipe assemblies to the tank. The new tank will then be put into place and attached to new water lines via soldering. The vent is put back together and the fuel source is attached to the new tank. 

Testing, testing

Once the new water heater installation Port St. Lucie is complete, your plumber will light the pilot light if it’s a natural gas or propane-powered tank, and will then conduct testing to make sure everything is as it should be. They’ll check for leaks of water or fuel. You can expect the whole installation process to take no more than eight hours for a standard installation.