Replacing a hot water heater is quite easy. Here are easy steps to doing the job yourself:

1.    Shut off the heater’s gas or power supply before doing anything else.
2.    Connect a hose to the drain valve located near the base of the tank. Drain the tank by running it to outdoors or to a drain nearby. Unscrew the inlet and outlet fittings at the top of the tank by using two wrenches. For gas heaters, shut off the gas inlet valve and disconnect the union or flare fitting by using two wrenches. The fitting can be found between the gas supply pipe and the inlet valve. Remove the flue hat at the top of the tank.
3.    Remove the old unit and carefully set the new one in. The controls and burner should be accessible. Make sure the area around the new hot water heater is clear and far from flammable materials and substances.
4.    Wrap the heat trap fitting threads using pipe-wrap tape. Screw the fittings into the heater and make sure the arrows point in the water flow direction.
5.    Replace old flexible connectors on the water inlet and outlet pipes with new ones. You may also install a shutoff valve on the cold water side if the tank did not hav one before.
6.    Open the shut off valve to fill the tank with water. Turn on a hot water faucet to get rid of air from the pipes.
7.    Assemble the gas pipes by spreading the pipe dope on the threads and screwing together the parts. Tighten them using the wrenches. Connect the unit with gas supply tubing as explained in the manufacturer’s manual.

You now have a new hot water heater installed.

To maintain the heater, technicians recommend that you flush your hot water heater periodically to cleanse it of mineral deposits and sediment buildup. These foreign materials cause tank noise, unit efficiency reduction, and drain valve clogging.

To flush your heater, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the heater. Turn off circuit breakers, for electric units. Set the gas valve to “Pilot”, for gas units. This will prevent the burners from going on during flushing.
2. Connect a hose to the drain valve located at the bottom of the tank. The hose can get hot, so make sure to keep children and pets away from the area.
3. Close the shut off valve on the cold inlet.
4. Open the temperature or pressure relief valve on the tank and leave it open.
5. Open the drain valve located at the bottom of the heater. This will allow the water to flow out through the hose. If sediments clog the drain valve, close the temperature or pressure relief valve and turn on the cold inlet valve. For hardened sediments that block the drain valve, drain the hot water. Remove the hose and use a long tool, perhaps a screwdriver, and chip away the clog.
6. The flushing is done as soon as the hose runs clear.
7. Close the drain valve and remove the hose.
8. Close the temperature/pressure relief valve and turn on the cold inlet valve.
9. Open a hot water faucet and let it run until there is no more air coming out. Then turn on the heater.