Replacing A Water Heater Element With A Full Tank Of Water. "Not Draining Tank."

[@e.s.8684]

PLEASE add the fact that you must make sure that if you "lost" a substantial amount of h20, while attempting this, you MUST wait and let the tank completely fill all the way back up or you will blow your elements. True story. That's why I am here. Several months ago, I flushed my H20 heater out and thought it had filled all the way up, then turned breaker back on. And BOOM! It killed the elements. Take heed and take care.

[@danjiles]

Too late to ADD that fact but it's really good advise non the less. Thanks for the input. Hopefully people will read your comment and take heed. Thanks again. Pinned for info you shared.

[@Wesmancan]

Get a new wife. Simple

[@christreen3559]

I work for the training department of a medical sterilizer manufacturing company, and do instructional videos every day. Let me say, as a pro, that this video is great. I like how you stay on task, and the fact that you provide a list of tools at the end is HUGE. there are so many crap tutorials out there full of excess chatter and disjointed instructions, that this one was a breath of fresh air. it was exactly the information I needed, and delivered in an easy to digest format. Keep up the good work!

[@pf32450]

Needed to change element and did a you tube search on DIY and your video was what I needed for I surely did not want to drain the water heater. Your method sounded like filling a bottle with water and holding it upside down and not loosing any water. Lost as you stated about 1/2 cup of water. I not only used towels to absorb any water, but I also place some plastic bag on the floor under the towel just in case I was not a quick as you. Worked! Thank you so much for your informative video.

[@miketooth8119]

Fantastic! Dan Jiles for President

[@bigwheel9132]

It’s an overused phrase but in this instance it fits: “There’s levels to this”. There’s no denying that this man is a PRO. The fluidity to his movements, the precision in execution, and lack of hesitation is something special to behold. Well done.

[@danjiles]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@bigwheel9132]

@@danjiles Yes sir. Thank you for putting in the work to provide us with instructions to make repairs for ourselves.

[@Sangsim2529]

Hello Dan, I love the way you teach me today, this is out standing, ways to deal with hot water heater thank, that is what we are needed stead going through all sorts of confusion. Thank you 👍 😊 🙏 God bless you and your families for generations to come 🙏 ❤️ 💙.

[@danjiles]

You are so welcome

[@patrickm0007]

Great video. Problem is my wife watched it with me now she knows how easy it is. She says there is no excuse for me to put it off until after the Superbowl.

[@jbratt]

What is funny is that I am trying to get this done on...you guessed it Super Bowl Sunday. The Rams are about to play the Patriots.

[@acsolutions2762]

That's funny bc today was the super bowl pates won

[@BennyLeSanto]

hahahahahaha exactlyyyyy!

[@danm8747]

1. Never let your Wife watch videos to show how “easy” it is 2. Its never that easy.

[@brucestewart5939]

Sooooo true brother!! Don't know how many times I've been busted puttin off jibs she now knows takes minutes!!! Funny stuff.

[@debbiemcinturff1345]

For some reason I have to turn off my main breaker to turn off the power to my hot water heater. I cannot find a designated breaker anywhere so, needless to say, the kids were not looking forward to me having to change out the element in our water heater. They knew it was going to take quite a long time waiting on the water to drain, doing the actual work and then waiting for it to refill again. Oh no, that meant no tv or online gaming. No no I was causing their world to come to an end. But thanks to you I was able to get the job done in minutes so I thank you and the kids thank you.. Great video!!! Keep up the good work!!! Yep, girls can do this too. :)

[@caelkendall2232]

Man Dan. Thank you. You video is amazing helpful. Thank you ! The quickness of you hands amazes me. You rock.

[@dfunis]

Hey Dan - fantastic tutorial. I arrived at my shack in ME the other day to find no hot water and suspected the heating element, which I'd already replaced a few years ago. But unlike the last time (which looked like a Moe & Curly job with water everywhere), with the help of your video I got the thing up & running in a half-hour, with a barely a squirt. THANK YOU man!!

[@heidip8443]

I appreciate the tone of your voice and your speech during this video. You are to the point, clear and enunciating your words. There is nothing that makes me quit a video faster than those with poor grammar and unclear audio or speech. It is DIY but, we want to do it like a pro would and if one comes across that way in their video, I'm certainly more confident that I can do the job by their teaching. So fantastic work and I subscribed. I'll always look for Giles DIY.

[@tomnovak7731]

+Heidi P (Phantom Inkdot PID) So bad info that is presented well is better than good info with a few "um"s in it? I think not! But he does have a pleasant tone and all.

[@timclark9345]

+Heidi P (Phantom Inkdot PID) SOUNDS LIKE HEIDI'S IN LOVE,

[@heidip8443]

Lol

[@heidip8443]

Hah I wanna be

[@heidip8443]

Y'all are silly and. ... Fun yeah fun.

[@TheKev7133]

I drain the water out last year to replace one but I need to replace another one this year. Glad to run by this amazing video.

[@coachtkaufmann]

First timer worked like a charm. Beats the heck out of draining the hot water heater. Thanks Dan!

[@cappiejoe1969]

EXCELLENT!! Explained it very well, didn't waste anytime with needless talk or video, just bare bones, right to the point. This is the first video of yours I've seen and you will be my go to guy when I need to fix something. Thanks!

[@charleskerper4755]

Worked like a charm. I watched this video a few yrs ago ,but decided to vac out tank instead, But not this time Your video is direct to the point and visually clear. Also i watch to learn the settings on ohm meter, . Since i don"t use it enough to remember. I should use it more often, but i usually replace every thing. Again Very Well Done thank you.

[@decodump3549]

Followed Dan's video yesterday and we STILL have hot water and nothing blew up. Seriously, nice video, Dan. Thanks a lot. I called a guy and they wanted $320 to replace the element. Sent him on his way. Insane.

[@CTeric3742]

I did it exactly like you showed me and, wow, it worked. I did not get even a cup of water out of my 80 gallon tank. Saved me hours of work. Thank you.

[@WefixwaterheatersNet]

Great to know how to change the element with a full tank of water. Will save a ton of time not having to drain the tank.

[@ProPaintballplaye]

The video did exactly what the title states. I would agree draining the tank is the right way to do it. But as you can see he had a drip pan in the way without cutting that to make room for a garden hose he did the job. I have also had a problem with a separated heating element and yes you have to dig it out taking time i.e. water draining on the floor. I personally would drain the tank and assume the worst case scenario where you cannot change the element in 5 seconds or less. Mr. Murphy lives in my house and experience tells me things never go that smoothly. Plan for the worst hope for the best.

[@kj9304]

Quick draw McGraw over here lol he gave me the confidence to do it and it worked. Thanks for the tip

[@danjiles]

That’s Awesome. Good for you. Thank you for watching.

[@PacoOtis]

Well done! Thanks! Would have thought a LOT more water would have come out. You've saved a lot of folks a lot of trouble.

[@markenssa]

Appreciate the lesson, changed an element last night in 5 minutes. I would recommend to anyone trying this for the first time to prepare for a snag just in case. My lower element was bent, burned and covered with lime so it took a little more time to pull it out.

[@FloridaSEOHubCapeCoral]

Dan, I watched your video and then had the confidence to go do it myself. I did it and it went EXACTLY they way you showed it! Thanks for the great DIY video! Appreciate it! Steve

[@d3w4yn3]

That was pretty tricky! I have to drain mine anyway, for that periodic flush, but if I had already done it, I would have done it this way!!! Good video!!! Simple, not a time waster!

[@mikemellor8972]

Excellent. Changed the element on a real antique water heater and although I split a couple of litres of water, thanks to you I was ready for it and there was no mess in the loft space.

[@leonlebreton8161]

thank you for putting this up on youtube. this may save me alot of money for replacing a couple of hot water tanks. Leon

[@scotts9826]

Nice how to video. Never replaced an element before. My water heater is less than ten years old. It will help me when I change mine out.

[@jonathanmartin-ives8665]

Thank you so much for this! I've been dreading this repair for weeks. Especially draining.

[@DamnItBabbz]

My grandfather built and installed everything in our house, he passed away many years ago and the water heater started acting up. I feel like if he were alive today he would be doing exactly what I am doin, and looking through KZbin on how to fix all this shit himself. That man really lived for his family. Now I am to.

[@danjiles]

+DamnIt Babbz good for you. Keep watching, keep learning. The more you can do is more you save. Be sure to Subscribe to the channel. Keep up the good work and thank you for watching. You Rock!!

[@JadyGrudd]

My Grandpa, too. He just got it done, no matter what. Here's to memory.

[@MoeHabibi]

Thanks for the tip about element wrench...didn't know about it and was wondering how the heck to remove the element.

[@ztbirdman]

Dan, great video for those who aren't aware of this method. I have been doing this for nearly 50 years but, as mentioned below by some of the others, there are times when the water needs to be drained. Since this is your area of expertise, you might consider doing a video on when it is vs. when it is not appropriate to do this job this way. I like to clean my hot water heater out annually just to be on the safe side. Even though I have a top of the line whole house water filtration system, I drain the unit on a yearly basis. Probably overkill but I've never had trouble out of a hot water heater. Thanks for the videos you put up.

[@DLeske]

Great vid. I have change a bunch of these over the years, just did not realize the water would be held back by all faucets being off. Thank you.

[@huntermoore2146]

Cool. Been an electrician for over 40 years and never tried changing an element with a full tank of water.

[@tyedyed69]

This worked great, easy! Did exactly as shown, had a bit of water flow out of top and bottom element because I wasn't as fadt as Dan, but still, very minimal water, maybe a cup or two out of each. Sure is A LOT easier than draining the whole tank!! Thanks Dan!

[@eltonhammond8963]

Excellent clear instructions that are easy to understand and make good sense!! Well done and most helpful because draining my 60 gallon tank and refilling it is very time consuming!!

[@88cweston]

great info,I change mine tomorrow.i thought i had to drain the tank,your video will save me lots of "wait around time".

[@darksouljier]

awesome vid my bottom element just burned out and was going to buy a hose tomorrow when i get the new element because i was sure you had to drain the tank but i guess if you are fast enough dont have to... this will save me alot of time as i dont have a shut off at the tank i have to shut off the main under the residence so this will save me from crawling under the home to shut off and turn on....with spring just now coming in its a little messy under there...and also thanks for making it concise...too many so-called educational videos with so much unnecessary rhetoric...thank you

[@aze216]

Thanks! When I started to watch the video I was a skeptic... by the time I finished I was a believer... Great stuff!

[@DavidBrileyRealEstateAgent]

DUDE!!! This worked! Thank you, thank you, thank you. CAUTION: please make sure the water tank has been turned off for a long time to allow the water in it to cool

[@josephroth8895]

Great. Really helpful. Photography was nice and clear. You may want to next time show HOW you choose the CORRECT replacement element so we can go to the parts store and not install the wrong part. But the install video was very well done. Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to put it up. Most appreciated!

[@harponercam]

Wow. Didn't know that could be done w/o draining. Might save this old codger some grief some winter day. Thanks.

[@nahtanoj92]

Thank you for demonstrating 9nbhiwnto change that element! Mine went bad and I have never replaced one before and I was a little nervous about doing it myself, I did not have any space for the hose to drain the tank jt I follow your advice and replace it very quickly and no mes at all I was relieved 😌 thanks again!

[@timfoster5043]

Never dawned on me that the whole tank doesn't need to be drained. But that makes sense. Thanks!

[@MrMonroe77]

Thanks for sharing worked perfectly for me. Not sure what these other people talking about on here lol. I did my top element like this first by default. My heater wasn’t daring properly. Just did my lowers element today. Finally works like a charm back to hot showers. The small things we take for granite like heaven.

[@billbeyer657]

Just finished doing the lower element in my 50 gallon water heater. Worked exactly like it did in the video although I almost forgot to relieve the pressure. Really appreciate the tip because like the unit in this video the drain spigot access is blocked by the tray. Thanks for this!

[@nickcanada9797]

Excellent video!!! Your tip of leaving the water in the tank saved us hours. Thanks again for the great video.

[@MrRahimhosein]

I cant give you high marks for enthusiasm but thank you very much for the video. I have a faulty element. I diagnosed it by testing for power at the element. I figure if power is going to the leads of the element then I should be giving heat. Thanks to you I know how easy it is and what I need. Thumbs up

[@blimeygx]

Hi Dan, Many thanks for taking the mysteries of how to tend to an element replacement. Especially the "can I do this with water in the tank, or do I have to drain it?" part of the ordeal. I also have a very difficult-to-get-to drain head. This makes a much lighter effort of it all.

[@ashtonthompson4214]

Thanks Dan for your video. I was able to change my heating element on my water heater and now it is working again!

[@StevenHartline]

An element went out on a 16 year old heater we have, so I thought to look for videos. All the steps here are very beneficial; even though I will be draining the tank and removing any sediment. Note too that he had a nearby drain (I think he said) - I wouldn't try this with water in tank on a flat garage floor like we have even if the heater was newer. Still a good DIY all-in-all

[@cathypascale8187]

I wish I had of watched this BEFORE I drained my 50 gal water heater. Oh well, it had been over ten years. It probably needed it. Thanks.

[@scottysimm]

Thanks...not my way without cleaning water heater tank..but, I learned one you can do it with a full tank of water, fantastic!

[@lee5236]

Excellent, thorough video. You clearly know what you're doing, unlike some of the other people posting similar videos.

[@danjiles]

Thank you. Thank you for watching.

[@daelynx]

For people like me who seen this video and felt confident then read comments and was intimidated, here is my experience. I followed step by step, and he was right and the video was helpful, but the people saying your element could be rotted and bent and it could cause for major spill are also right, luckily my tank was only 20 gallons. I pulled element out, it was super long bent and broke, therefore took a while to work out, and I had to basically fill 5 gallon buckets 4 times to drain all the overflowing water before I could work the element all the way out. The insulation got wet but its not a big deal, let it dry, put a fan on it, make sure connections are dry before rerigging. Besides that this video was mad helpful and I appreciate this guy Dan for his experience. At the end of the day this repair cost me less than 35 bucks and no need for a professional at all. Now if you dealing with a huge tank, keep in mind if the element does not come out, u can push it back in to stop the water leaking, then have someone help u dump buckets until it is all gone. Draining the tank may be easier but wasn't a option for my setup. No regrets, thanks Dan Jiles

[@spritsfal1869]

Dude u ROCK! It's a lot simpler than I thought. I opened up my water heater and didn't know wtf I was lookin at, till now lol. Thanks a lot!

[@tonykelly7450]

This was a huge, huge help to me! My job was messier than yours lol but it worked! Thanks so much!!!!

[@tedolmsted]

Thanks for your help Dan! No more cold showers. You were darn quick on that element change. I've seen rattlesnakes that couldn't strike that quick!

[@musikklvr]

Thank you so much! I looked at several videos and your video was the most simplest. I thought I would have to call somebody or replace my water heater but it was really easy. The hardest part was unscrewing the element and they screwing it back on. For some reason, it wouldn't screw on and water kept coming out but I finally got it to screw on. Thanks a lot for your video!

[@jacjuet1464]

Dan! Super job, I like the way you explained the whole procedure, look forward to more videos. Jac.

[@jamalbenthall151]

Great video bro.

[@prettiinpink816]

God bless you! Thanks so much! - a single mom💕

[@murphybeverage3372]

Great. I hope this procedure works with an 80 gallon heater. Fingers crossed!

[@susanmcvay]

Looks to be do able.... My husband and I are going to try this tomorrow night and I look forward to taking a long hot soak in the tub later that evening : ) We shall see.

[@jasongaylor686]

Thanks for the informative video, Mr. Jiles. This helped me and saved on the cost of calling a plumber. Super easy process.

[@wb5584]

Very helpful. I have the same problem with the drain on my tank. Why the drain was installed in a manner which makes it nearly impossible to use, is beyond me.

[@eddiekilby6936]

Very help full tip. It's funny how it always seems to be the bottom element that needs replacing.

[@terryhites1]

Nice job! You made me confident that I might not flood the house

[@danjiles]

Good Luck and follow every step closely and you should do well. You can do it!

[@SridharVasudevan]

Thank you so much Dan! This is incredible! I fixed my 16 year old water heater. The best video that gives me real hot shower back before the winter starts. Your step by step method worked so well. I had a 50 gallon 5ft water heater. Hence the water splashed on me from the bottom one more than the top one. This saved me a lot of money and worry. I did it! ;-) Thanks again. We just followed your confident instruction.

[@capricorndragon6268]

I have done this quite a few times but I usually have a shop vac there just in case I am not as fast as I should be. It's been many years but I knew I was not the only person to have changed a heating element with water in the tank.

[@plumbersinlosangelesca4737]

Great step-by-step video! Great Job Dan.

[@albita1128]

great for me the explanation is so good even for me that i dont speak good english thank you sr for helping me to grow up

[@UrmekIT]

Just did both of my heating elements. Top was the first and worst, rubber washer looked torn up after i took it out but it was leaking before I finished loosening the element. Had an oh crap moment as I stared at it then just kept going and swapped it out. Bottom wasn't as bad but it had more water spray, now just need to grab a hose end cap to fix the small drip on the drain valve. Had no hot water for a few weeks now. Thanks for the video.

[@Kienfee]

Very cool, not having to drain the tank is a BIG time & water saver, Thanks for the tip!

[@langell77]

We thought we'd have to do this, but turns out all we needed to do was reset the breaker and voila. Hot water again! Thanks for the great instructions, though.

[@loyrickman3517]

Just finished replacing both elements in a 50 gal. heater without draining the tank. Got no more than a quart of water out of both holes. The key is to maintain the closed system as Dan mentions. Close all faucets even your clothes washer valve.

[@Chip6565]

Your good! That’s how I’m going to do mine. A mention of performing a continuity test to verify it’s bad might help some noobs..

[@BREGGREN]

Super Instructive VIDEO - I've Seen It Done & You Did It SUPERBLY! Thanks- Great VIDEO!

[@thomabb]

I replaced a lower element in my tank a couple years ago. It was actually broke, and took some time to get it out of the hole. If I had tried this method, I would have made a nice mess.

[@thomasmondone7509]

me to ... no friggin way ... I'll drain the tank !

[@01Prostyle]

Same thing happened to me tried this on the lower element and to my surprise my old element was "U" shaped and it had expanded to where it could not be pulled out!! What a mess!!! I actually had to buy a new tank the "Plumber" could not pull the old element out I even tried!! "Huge Mess"!! avoid shortcuts!!

[@jamesfank1121]

you would just screw it back in then drain the tank

[@jamarlmalone3987]

Really like this video. Very concise.

[@MrJsiks]

Thanks for the video. This was great and very informative. Everything properly presented and to the point.

[@bgregg55]

it would never have occurred to me to try that but it sure works. thanks for the tip.

[@justinadams2185]

Apologize if this has been answered, but when he noticed the power was not off from flipping breaker and then disconnected. Did he just unplug from the wall?

[@scottgaddis9995]

What about all the calcium build up, shouldn't you get as much of that out of the tank as you can before installing the new element?

[@OcRefrig]

Yep , allways best to drain water heater to get all the calcium rocks out & sediment. Hook up a hose to bottom of hot water heater and Flush out All the crap Before installing a New Element. Allways Best !

[@JuanMartinez-df1lc]

Yeah of course. If your at home or if you have some down time working maintenance at apartments

[@Alpawolfalex]

Are all the water heater elements universal or do I have to look the model for my brand of heater? I know this sound stupid but I need to know. Thanks for a great video.

[@danjiles]

Most elements of late are standard screw in 4500 watt / 240 volt.

[@habboubabest4973]

Thank you I’m going to try fix it tomorrow let’s hope it works

[@noseonscent1935]

You are da Man Dan!

[@hannahlostsheep1971]

I would recommend draining the tank, remove calcium buildup using a shop vac by reducing the size of your hose ( I reduced the hose on my shop vac with pond adapters down to 3/4 inch hose. This makes it easy to vacuum out all debris).

[@sandrampillay2652]

A very good tutorial. Have been following it carefully.

[@bigjimpetty]

Nice! Normally I would have drained the heater and taken the elements to match the replacement parts, how do you ensure you have the right wattage element on hand to do the quick swap, without the old one in hand??

[@benparsons684]

Looks good and a thorough explanation. However, I would only do it this way if I, as you did here, had a problem draining the tank that was too difficult to overcome easily. As someone pointed out, it would be a good time to flush the tank anyway. And I like to eyeball the anode rod through the element hole anyway.

[@stevenanderson8768]

very helpful and thorough. Great voice. Thank you for this valuable information.

[@TBetti]

Awesome video :) I did this back in 2006 and need to do it again. I had forgotten how I did it...lol...I found your video...perfect! Thank you :) ~T

[@wendycummings5182]

Fantastic video! Too bad we can't find a do it yourself video with Dan Jiles for all our home project needs.

[@diro6232]

Hey Dan, great detailed video!

[@danjiles]

+Di Ro thank you and thanks for watching.

[@danjiles]

Hey... if it’s not too much to ask be sure you subscribe to the channel if you haven’t already, I’d love to have you in the community of fixers.

[@diro6232]

@@danjiles I actually already did. Could I impose on you for a water heater dilemma opinion? I have one approximately the same size as in your video (I'm in a mobile home). About a week now or so, there has no longer been any hot water...only warm, and it only lasts about 4-5 minutes. I checked the breaker, and around the water heater for leaks...none. I haven't checked it with a multimeter yet (my next step.) But from I've told you, could you possibly give me guess if it could be an element going bad? Thanks.

[@danjiles]

@@diro6232 It sounds like your bottom element is not coming on when the top is done heating the water. you could have a bad lower elemet or the tStats are faulty. OHM the lower element, the don't start to go bad, they are either good or burned out no in between. Be sure to turn OFF the power first before doing any checks.

[@rkmacdonald]

Thanks, Dan! My water heater is in my attic, and there is no easy way to drain it. I would have to cut a hole in the screening under the eves to make a place to route a hose. So, this is exactly how my plumber replaced my elements! Less than a cup of water spilled and it took about the same amount of time as in the video. I see no way that a lot of water could leak, even if the old element won't come out. You would just push it back in and then drain the tank. Next time, I will do it myself!

[@Jpre4321]

Thanks a lot, took me about 10 mins with zero experience!

[@jugalsharma8151]

Awsome job and very good idea thanks a lot for the help for prpple

[@loadi2865]

well done Sir never it was possible to do it like that...(but your lucky your element was easy to pull out)

[@llodnak]

Great video Dan! I think it may have been helpful to show how to test the element also. JJ, Dan told you to reclose the pressure relief, and also make sure no valves are open on the system. No wonder you got wet. You let air into the tank. ;-)

[@electronicsNmore]

Good Method. I have done it that way before. As long as air does not enter the tank, the water will have a very hard time coming out. Only problem is you may have an issue with shitty threads on the tanks, then your racing to have the new element thread in properly.