Tillie Doyle
Water heater drain pans are essential for safeguarding your home from water damage due to leaks. If you notice a crack in your hot water heater drain pan, it's time for a replacement. While some may attempt this as a DIY project, it is best to hire a professional plumber to ensure the job is done correctly and safely. The process involves first draining the tank and cutting any piping if it is hard-piped. Next, the tank is lifted and the old pan is slid out, making way for the new pan to be installed. With the right tools and expertise, you can protect your home and avoid costly repairs.
How to replace a cracked hot water heater drain pan:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to replace | When there is a leak in the internal tank, causing water to slowly seep out and pool at the bottom of the tank and in the water heater pan. |
| Before replacing | Turn off the appliance's water supply and power. Open a hot water faucet inside the house to relieve pressure in the tank. |
| Drain the tank | Disconnect the inlet to get all the water out. |
| Remove the old pan | Cut the piping if it is hard-piped, then lift and slide out the broken unit. This task requires two people. |
| Install the new pan | Place the new pan under the water heater, ensuring it is a few inches larger than the heater on all sides. |
| Reattach the water heater | Place the water heater on the new pan, ensuring the drain opening aligns with the PVC pipe. |
| Check for stability | Gently rock the water heater back and forth to ensure it is stable on the drain pan. |
| Cost | $1750 (as per one source) |
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What You'll Learn
Drain the water heater
To replace a cracked hot water heater drain pan, you will first need to drain the water heater. This is how you do it:
First, turn off the water heater and the gas valve before it. Shut off the cold inlet water valve that is going into the water heater. Allow the water heater to cool down for 20-30 minutes. The cooling time may vary depending on the type of garden hose you have and its ability to withstand hot water.
Next, hook up a garden hose to the spigot of your water heater. Ensure the other end of the hose is directed outside or towards a tube or drain. Use a screwdriver to open the water valve and drain the water. If the water is draining slowly, open the Water Heater Pressure Relief Valve (PRV) to let air into the tank, which will help it drain faster.
If you have a gas water heater, note that it still requires electricity to run. You can unplug it and use the hot water until it runs out before draining it. This way, you won't waste the energy it took to heat the water. Alternatively, run laundry or do the dishes to use up the hot water in the tank. Once the tank is empty, you can refill it with cold water and then drain it. When draining, open all the hot water taps to ensure the water is directed outside of the tank.
If you are replacing a cracked hot water heater pan, it is important to drain the tank first. This will involve cutting the piping if it is hard-piped, then lifting and sliding out the broken unit to replace it with a new one. This task requires two people.
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$36.96
Detach the heater from plumbing, electricity, and vent
Before beginning any work on your hot water heater, refer to your manufacturer’s installation manual for information regarding your specific model. If you are attempting to service your own heater, do so with caution.
To detach the heater from plumbing, electricity, and vent, follow these steps:
Firstly, for safety purposes, turn off the unit's power or fuel source. For a gas water heater, close the shut-off valve on the unit's gas supply line. This will usually be found at the bottom of the heater. The valve is closed when it is perpendicular to the gas line, and modern valves may have a simple "on" and "off" button. Verify that the pilot light goes off before proceeding. For an electric water heater, turn off the power at the circuit breaker. Use a multimeter to check that the unit is no longer receiving power to avoid the risk of electrical shock.
Next, disconnect the water heater from the electrical wiring. Open the electrical junction box access panel to locate where the water heater connects to the electrical system. Disconnect the two systems by unscrewing the wire nuts and cap the loose wires with wire nuts.
Now, turn off the incoming water to the heater. All water heaters have a cold water inlet pipe. When water levels deplete, the valve opens to allow new water in. You will need to use the shut-off valve to close the valve permanently. The shut-off valve will be at the top of the water heater tank on the inlet water supply and is often red, but it can be other colours.
Finally, detach the heater from the ventilation tubing. Gas water heaters require a venting system to remove the byproducts of burning gas, such as exhaust gases and moisture. The exact setup varies, but the ventilation connection is usually found at the top of the heater. The vent duct can be vertical or horizontal and may lead directly outdoors or tie into a larger vent duct.
If your water heater has "hard-plumbing", where pipes are welded together at connection points, you will need to use a saw to disconnect the unit.
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Lift and slide out the broken unit
Lifting and sliding out a broken hot water heater drain pan is no easy task and often requires two people. Before attempting to lift and slide out the broken unit, it is important to drain the water heater of all water. If the tank is connected to the water supply pipes with flexible hoses, this process will be much easier than if they are soldered copper.
Once the tank is drained, you can begin to lift and slide out the broken unit. One method is to use a jack to slowly raise the water heater, allowing you to slide the pan underneath. It is important to use cardboard or blocking to protect the water heater from damage and ensure that the strap used to lift the heater does not put pressure on the drain valve or any other components.
Another method is to use a dolly or hand truck to lift and move the water heater. This involves placing the water heater on the dolly and then sliding the heater up to ratchet it into place. The dolly can then be raised, allowing you to move the water heater to where you need to place it.
If you are working in a tight space, such as a utility closet, you may need to get creative. One option is to use a hydraulic cart, which can make it easier to manoeuvre the water heater into place. Another option is to use a shoulder dolly, which can help distribute the weight and make it easier to lift and slide the water heater.
Remember, this is a challenging task that often requires two people, so don't hesitate to ask for help or enlist professionals if needed.
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Place the new pan
Now that you have your outline, you can create a hole for the drainage pipe. Put on safety goggles, grab your drill, and attach the hole saw bit. Carefully drill a hole at the marked centre of the pan's outline. Take the PVC pipe and measure its length so that it reaches the nearest floor drain or an exterior area where the water can flow safely. Use a saw or pipe cutter to trim the PVC pipe to the desired length. Attach the PVC pipe to the hole in the pan using PVC cement, ensuring a tight seal.
Before placing your water heater on the pan, use a level to ensure that the pan is perfectly flat. This step is crucial as it prevents water from pooling and enhances the pan's effectiveness. With the drain pan in place and the PVC pipe securely attached, carefully position your water heater onto the drain pan. Make sure the water heater sits squarely on the pan and that the drain opening aligns with the PVC pipe.
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Re-attach the heater and new pan's piping
Re-attaching the heater and new pan's piping is the final step in replacing a cracked hot water heater drain pan. This process requires two people and involves several steps.
First, ensure the new drain pan is in position. The pan should be a few inches larger than the water heater on all sides, allowing it to catch any leaks effectively. Once the pan is in place, the water heater should be slowly and gently tipped and rolled off its stand. This step should be performed carefully to avoid damaging the internal Anode Rod and Dip Tube.
Next, the height of the new stand must be determined. The stand should have at least 1/8" per foot drop or slope towards the pan's pipe and the building exit point, floor drain, or sump basin. After setting up the new stand, the bottom of the water heater can be rolled onto it, using a ramp if necessary.
Now, the water heater can be manoeuvred into the new pan. This may involve rocking or jiggling the heater to centre and align it with the pan and the pan's drain. Shark-Bite type fittings are recommended for this type of work. Finally, the water heater and the new pan's piping can be re-attached.
It is important to note that this process may vary depending on the specific make and model of the water heater and drain pan. It is always recommended to consult a professional plumber or refer to the manufacturer's instructions for more accurate and detailed guidance.
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