No Drain Water Heater Element Replacement - Homesteading Have To's

Well, today we are changing the element on our water heater. I just don't drain them to do this any more.
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College Hill Farm is a Homestead/Hobby Farm operated by Joel and Crystal Eldridge. We homestead, garden, can, freeze, store, dehydrate, raise animals, vlog, and write about the homesteading way of life, which is really an Appalachian way of life for hundreds of years. We provide time honored traditional advice from years of experience. We also try new things we have never tried before to see how they work for us. Be certain to visit our channel page at / collegehillfarm On the page you can see our trailer which details why we are on KZbin. So subscribe and join us on our journey. If you hit the little bell it will notify you when we upload videos. We upload every Sunday. Sometimes one or sometimes 5 videos are uploaded depending on what went on on the homestead that week. Feel free to contact us by snail mail at College Hill Farm PO Box 89 Paint Lick, Ky. 40461 You might also catch up with us at Village Fest - In the Historic Village of Paint Lick the first Saturday in October.

[@YouTubeSwick]

Good job

[@CollegeHillFarm]

Thanks

[@russscholz5813]

I surely am glad your hiatus is over so now I can get on to the next thing!! Glad your back!!!

[@henrynguyen5105]

Great idea not to drain You are right about water running out to the shopping bag very little I love your idea ❤

[@CollegeHillFarm]

Really worked good me over the years.

[@michaelprozonic]

I just know,that if I tried this, I would have 40 gallons of water on my floor. If anything could go wrong, I guarantee it would go wrong for me But I understand the principle and it is a great idea to save a bunch of time and work

[@CollegeHillFarm]

I try not to focus on the negative. But I have imagined what I would do if the old one stripped the hole coming out.

[@plowboy6636]

Excellent- you are pretty quick. Will have to try that sometime

[@hoomalimali6334]

Hey again, I did it! Much slower than you but couldn’t have done it without you. I had to replace the thermostat too and those 8 gauge wires are a pain. Cost about $30 instead of the $200 the local pros wanted. Thanks again for your efforts in educating the home improvement impaired ~ Paul.

[@CollegeHillFarm]

Glad it worked out for you!!!

[@shepshomestead]

Good to see you back Joel. Thanks for sharing

[@jamalbenthall151]

Great video

[@CollegeHillFarm]

thank you

[@tonynorris1506]

If I may add some additional tips here: Did this yesterday on my Lower Element being mine wouldn't drain due to rust/sediment as it's nearly 10yrs old, and a plumber friend said he's done thousands of them this way over his career not only due to being faster, but draining an old tank can disturb sediment at the bottom that may cause a leak if it's disturbed (In my case clogging the drain valve immediately)... 1. Do NOT leave any sink faucets on if doing this way so that it creates an air lock within the tank, this will keep water from gushing out being the tank will try to suck in air for a few seconds when you remove the original one, it just runs out of the lower lip slowly like pouring something from a cup VS blasting out with pressure if faucets are open. 2. Instead of using a bag to catch the water, while that works, I used a new (unopened) trash bag and tucked the edges over/around the insulation to protect it, and to where the bag sat under the element with the bottom of the bag leading into a dish pan, like a shield + water slide.. 3. Loosen the cap with the deep socket and then go slowly by hand, once you see water start to trickle around the edges, it's basically unthreaded enough to pull out or VERY close, so just pull it out and do a fast swap with the other hand and started screwing it on by hand and the water will stop in a few seconds. I probably only lost a 1-2 cups of water in a 10 second period and it all slid down the bag and into the dish pan, most of the water loss was when screwing the other one in by hand and it leaking around the sides for a few seconds .... it was shockingly easy... 4. Get the new one snug by hand, THEN Use your socket to tighten it back down fully. Replace wires, cut water back on, let your faucets run to release air and then you can cut the breaker/power back on to the tank. Job done! Again, It was my first time and I feel like draining it would have probably caused more of a mess than this did, I was shocked.

[@CollegeHillFarm]

my water heater is in a basement. I would have had to haul 40 gallons of water out in a bucket. It is way easier and less messy to put them in without draining.

[@billcoulter2666]

Was wondering if that was possible. Thanks

[@aristidesroman435]

Aweson!!

[@farmerbrown3267]

Great 👍 video.

[@CollegeHillFarm]

Thanks 👍

[@jb7965]

I have a problem with a burned out bottom element and came across your video on this issue, so it was very helpful to learn how to do a 'no drain', thank you. Did you have to wait a while for the water to cool off on the top element first since it was still working? If so, how long? Or did you replace the top the same day you did the bottom? Wasn't quite clear in the video. I'm thinking of replacing top element too just for the heck of it.

[@CollegeHillFarm]

yes - but you can just turn the electric off and open up a sink or tub and let the hot water out before changing. Be certain to turn the water pressure back off before you start replacing the element. I replaced both. Most of the time the top element is the first to go.

[@crxess]

Dip tube would have been my first concern, since you state it only last a few minutes. A Cracked or Broken Dip Tube will allow Cold water to enter higher in the tank and Blend faster with the already heated water. The first thing one needs to do in determining a bad thermostat is to Get a multi-meter, Run the hot water long enough to trip the top Thermostat, then read Voltage on the Top Element.(240v) Next, Wait, testing every few minutes until the Top Thermostat switches to turn off the upper Element and turn on the Lower element. At that point test the Lower Element for 240v. Also - Sediment build up can Bury a lower Element causing it to be ineffective or even burn out.

[@CollegeHillFarm]

I did all that. This one wasn't wasn't showing how to determine any problems just changing the element without draining the tank.

[@crxess]

@@CollegeHillFarm Gotcha. I'm getting ready to take on a major overhaul on mine. Hot side flow rapidly dropped off, indicating a blockage somewhere. Pulled the intake and outlet lines to confirm no blockage at the nipples. Confirmed Flow at the Cold shutoff. Then I decided to put a pressure gauge on the Heater Drain. Whole House Pressure is holding in the 45psi range off the well with the hot water running, gauged after the filtration system, but the actual Heater Tank pressure instantly drops to 20psi and continues to go down slowly. We have always had Calcium issues and it seems the Newer Water Softener and Filtration system has not done much to reduce that. Will be fully cleaning the tank and Replacing any internal parts as needed - including 2 new Elements for good measure. I have learned the hard way, the only reason to replace a water heater is if the Tank itself Fails.

[@CollegeHillFarm]

Be careful. They generally fail with little warning. I had one bulge up the bottom. I just luckily noticed the tank leaning before it gave completely out.

[@crxess]

@@CollegeHillFarm Excellent warning! Just buttoned it back up for today. Turbo Tank Cleaner tool worked wonders. removed about 10 Gallons of Calcium Deposits. Last of it with a smaller Shop Vac and a piece of 1/2 PEX bent into a curve. Vacuumed through the lower Element hole before installing the new ones. *Both still worked but the Lower was severely corroded and the upper was heavily coated. Tank enamel Finish looks to be in good shape, but the Anode Rod is Toast. I'll order a sectional replacement tomorrow.(no overhead room) Take care!

[@hoomalimali6334]

That was terrific, thanks! When you replaced the top element was that a no-drain situation too?

[@CollegeHillFarm]

Yes it was. That is the way I do all of them. Be certain to turn off that water and the electric.

[@hoomalimali6334]

@@CollegeHillFarm You have given me the inspiration to try it. You are part of the best of YT!

[@gregschofield8557]

WI that also work for the top element?

[@CollegeHillFarm]

Yes both elements. Just make sure the plastic is long enough to reach your bowl Or bucket

[@josephherron7671]

Yall get you an inch and half socket and a half inch drive ratchet. Don't use that damn wrench you'll thank me.

[@CollegeHillFarm]

While I agree it is better. Most people will never need anything more. They can get the tool and for $10 be in business.

[@mchevalier-seawell4438]

Is the insulation wet?

[@CollegeHillFarm]

no The plastic keeps the water off the insulation.

[@mchevalier-seawell4438]

Thanks

[@Riseof_thefall]

Q

[@CollegeHillFarm]

Thank you