“If you want a thing done well, do it yourself.” – Napoleon Bonaparte

A week ago my hot water heater died without warning. Essentially, I was forced to live up to my homeowner’s responsibility of restoring life and the universe back to normal!

At first, my plan was simply to repair the old gas water heater in high hopes of a cheap fix, but you know the cliche’…

“If you want to make the Water Heater Godz laugh…. tell them about your plans of a cheap repair!”

Still, you never know!

Whenever you are troubleshooting, it’s always better to start with the cheapest and easiest repairs first. That way you don’t make the mistake of buying a brand new water heater when you could’ve fixed the old one for ten bucks!

Ya know wat I’m sayin’ 😉

Trouble Shooting  and Determining the Problem

In this scenario, the cheapest and easiest fix was to take apart the burner assembly, clean it and attempt to relight the pilot. Unfortunately, that didn’t work so I did a little more research.

All of the main symptoms (pilot lights, but won’t stay lit after release of the pilot button) were pointing to either the thermocouple or gas control valve, otherwise known as the thermostat.

Since the free fix didn’t work I moved on to the next troubleshooting idea – replace the Thermocouple!!! Another let down.  the cheap $10 replacement of the thermocouple was also a no go.

At this point everything is now pointing to the gas control valve. Time to drain the tank and move on to the next item on the ol’ checklist.

Upon further inspection and draining of the water heater, we discovered that the tank had 7 years of sediment build up. I think that’s what in all probability killed the gas control valve. The water draining out of the tank was also a slight rustic color, which could indicate that the water heater has some internal deterioration as well.

 

Did you know you can do some basic maintenance to help prolong the life of your water heater by draining and flushing the water heater tank once a year? Neither did I! Neither did I.

 

In retrospect, I probably could’ve fixed the old unit by installing a new gas control valve. Yet, how long would that last me before the tank rusted through and started leaking all over my garage?

After some thoughtful considerations on whether to order a new gas control valve for $135 + $42 expedited shipping, I decided it would be best to “simply” replace the whole unit and actually perform the recommended maintenance going forward.

 

Insights from Installing my New Gas Water Heater

Technically, I was replacing a gas water heater using the existing set up and not installing one from scratch. That would be slightly more complicated!

By the way, I should be clear that I knew absolutely nothing about hot water heaters prior to this one’s demise. You would be surprised how helpful Youtube can be on the subject of installing a gas water heater.

Plus, I do have some mechanical ability from working on my own cars, and helping my Father with the many household projects he’s done over the years.

This is my way of saying that I had a certain degree of confidence that I could do this install on my own.

 

CAUTION: Since we’re dealing with gas here… there is a slight chance that you could blow yourself up. If you don’t feel like putting your ballz on the line, then it may be best to call in a pro! Consider that my disclaimer in case you accidentally incinerate the family jewels.

 

By doing my own installation I think I saved $400-700 dollars or more in installation costs.

I also learned a lot about water heaters, how they work and how to trouble shoot, remove and install them. The biggest downside was having to spend a week without hot water while trying to get it installed correctly and up to code.

 

In addition, I gained a greater appreciation for the ability to have flowing hot water on tap… something billions of people must live without!

 

All in all, I realize why plumbers charge so much to install these heavy beasts. In fact, after looking over the numbers I’ve been thinking that maybe we should go into the plumbing business!!!!

I can see it now…

 

On second thought, installing hot water heaters daily could wear a brother out and I’m not so sure I’d enjoy doing this for a living. Not that there’s anything intrinsically wrong with it. I definitely have a deeper respect for Mario and Luigi!

Most importantly, the final lesson is that when the hot water is gone… someone’s gotta bring it back! Now you can either pay someone to do it for you or YOU can do it yourself.  Yet in the end it is a job that has to be done. The question you need to ask yourself is….

 

Is it Worth Installing a Gas Water Heater Yourself
to Save Several Hundred Dollars?

YOU BE THE JUDGE!!!! 

Gas Water Heater = $700
Paying a pro to install it = $400-1,000+
The wisdom gained and experience of installing it yourself = Priceless! 😛

 

 

Still Not Convinced You Should Do It Yourself?

Now for those still unsure if it’s worth it, we’ve included a play-by-play recap of the entire process and time estimations that were spent on the job.

Now be advised that this is NOT a “how to” article; I am just documenting the basic steps I went through for purely informational purposes. And to help you decide whether you want to tackle such a project.

 

You may decide that your time is a valuable commodity and could be better spent on something else. That is definitely a viable argument and one I fully support.

 

Even though I saved a decent chunk of cash, I paid for it with the opportunity cost… for all you inspiring economists out there! In other words, even though you might save several hundred dollars… you have to ask yourself what your time is worth?

If you were to put those same hours into running your business or other money-making pursuit than the value of your time may well exceed the money you’d save. In this case, it would be more advantageous to simply call a plumber.

On the other hand, if you would have just sat around watching T.V. or playing video games… maybe you should get yo’ a$$ off da couch and install that water heater yourself!!! 😯

Personally, I took this on as a homeowner challenge and a learning experience…. I’m glad I saved some money on the install, but as you will see, I definitely paid for it in time and labor putting in the new one.

On the bright side, I learned quite a few things that will help me in the future should another unit ever fail or need installed. And next time, I am certain I could do it in about half of the time. In my opinion, it was definitely worth all of the trouble!

My final thought to support “doing it yourself” is…

 

Anyone can call someone and spend their hard-earned money to get something repaired or installed…. yet only a small percentage of people can go out there and confidently do it themselves! Word…

 

 

Here’s the Full Recap of Our Water Heater Adventures!!!!

Wednesday (1 hour)
– Took my last hot shower unknowingly or I would have savored the moment!
– Discovered that the hot water heater died that evening
– Did a little research online

Thursday (1-3 hours)
– Researched how to repair gas hot water heaters online
– Took apart the old unit’s burner assembly
– Cleaned it and put it back together
– Tried to light the pilot and burner… didn’t work
– Pilot lights, but fails to stay lit and burner never fires
– Cause = either bad thermocouple or gas control valve

Friday (2-3 hours)
– More research on Google and Youtube
– Went to Lowe’s and bought an $8 Thermocouple
– Installed new thermocouple onto burner assembly
– Same scenario Pilot lights, but fails to stay lit and burner never fires
– Must be gas control valve

Saturday (2-4 hours)
– Tried one last ditch effort for a cheap fix
– Took the burner assembly out again and cleaned everything really well
– Still no dice, so now I know for certain it is the gas control valve
– Researched cost of new gas control valve.. identical part = $192 w/ fast shipping
– Got to take a hot shower at my lady friend’s place! 😎

Sunday (3-5 hours)
– Drained old unit using water hose (or thought I did)
– Started to remove gas control valve and heard gurgling and hissing sounds
– Finished draining unit using buckets
– Could see sediment coming out of tank with water
– Water was a slight rusty/dirty color with sediment build up
– Determined that the gas control valve failure was caused by excessive sediment build up
– Based on research, age of water heater, cost of part, etc. decided to buy a whole new unit
– Started pricing new units online

Monday (6-8 hours)
– Took half a day off of work to install
– Went to Home depot, Sears and Lowes checking out new water heaters
– Bought a $420 Whirlpool Gas Water Heater from Lowe’s and supplies
– Cleaned garage and prepared area for removal and installation process
– Removed the old unit and set to the side
– Lifted and set the new unit into place
– Started thinking about how to vent and install the new unit using the preexisting set up
– Went to back to Lowe’s for venting pipes and more supplies

Tuesday (8-12 hours)
– Took a full day off of work to install
– Fully read installation instructions and watched installation videos online
– Researched how to vent this type of water heater
– Went to Carolina Supply to get parts for gas line connections
– Talked to some plumbers there and learned some new things about venting
– Went to Lowe’s and bought some more supplies
– Filled up Thermal Expansion tank
– Realized that I bought the wrong type of gas water heater – needed a direct vent water heater not standard atmospheric
– Cried incessantly for one hour. Lol j/k
– Called around to see where I could buy a direct vent water heater.
– Went back to Carolina Supply and bought a Rheem 50 gallon direct vent gas water heater
– Took the wrong unit back down and set to the side
– Lifted and placed the new direct vent water heater into place
– Connected the cold water line and thermal expansion tank
– Worked on installing the venting system

Wednesday (3-5 hours)
– Went to Lowe’s again for more supplies
– Finished installing the venting system
– Connected the cold water line
– Connected the how water line
– Connected the gas pipe and union to the gas control valve
– Tested for water leaks, had one but fixed
– Tested for gas leaks using soapy bubbles – none discovered
– Filled tank with water and fired the pilot and burner
– Discovered another small water leak on the hot water connection
– Temporarily fixed the leak
– Took a HOT SHOWER!!!!!!!

 

In Conclusion… Flow Like Hot Water My Friend!

By the way, I’m still not finished. Got to fix the small leak, silicone the outside vent terminal, and will probably take the gas pipe connections apart and use pipe joint compound to seal them better.

Also have to box up the wrong water heater and unneeded supplies and take them back to Lowe’s for a refund.

Well, if you’ve read this far you are either really bored at work OR considering installing a gas water heater yourself!

Either way, you are now armed with some insights on whether you should attempt this job or outsource it to someone else. Hopefully, this was helpful to you in some way.

Thanks for reading our hot water heater adventure story!

And always remember what Bruce Lee has to say on the subject;

“You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend.”

Until next time, keep the hot water flowing…

Brandon

P.S. I want to send a big shot out and thank you to my brother, Cory for helping me with the installation process. No way, I could of done this without his help. Definitely a two man job!