How do plumbers get an old water heater out?
Shut it off, drain it, disconnect it, then move it out without dropping it. This one sat above a drop ceiling, so we brought it down on a material lift, pan and all.
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Licensed and insuredVirginia Class A contractor #2705192276
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From one of our jobs
An old water heater coming down on a lift
Right now: Look at the drain valve at the bottom of your tank. A drip there gets worse, not better, so put a pan or towel under it and call.
Before anything moves, we shut off the gas or power and the cold water, then drain the tank through the valve at the bottom. A full tank is several hundred pounds of water, so draining it comes first. Here the heater sat up above the ceiling, so it came down on a lift instead of on someone’s back.
The old one leaves with us. The new one goes in with new connections, a relief valve line run to the right place and the venting checked. Then we fill it, light it and run hot water at a tap before we call it done.
Quick answers
What people ask about water heater removal
Do plumbers haul away the old water heater?
We do. Taking the old one away is part of every SwiftPro replacement.
How do you drain a water heater before removing it?
Shut off the power or gas and the cold water, run a hose from the drain valve at the bottom to a drain, and open a hot tap so air can get in.
Why is the drain valve on my water heater leaking?
Sediment can keep it from sealing, or the valve itself has worn out. A new valve fixes it if the tank is sound. If the tank is old, it’s often the first sign of the end.
How heavy is a full water heater?
A typical 50 gallon tank holds over 400 pounds of water on top of the tank’s own weight. That’s why we drain it first.
Who replaces water heaters in Northern Virginia?
Call SwiftPro at (703) 997-9757. Our own plumbers take out the old one and install a new tank or tankless water heater across Northern Virginia.
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SwiftPro Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
4230 Lafayette Center Dr N, Chantilly, VA 20151
44679 Endicott Dr, Suite 211, Ashburn, VA 20147
SwiftPro Plumber & Water Heaters
4200 Lafayette Center Dr, Suite N, Chantilly, VA 20151
Virginia Class A contractor license #2705192276