Water Heater Tutorials & FAQ's

Water Heater Resources

Here at PlumbersStock, you can buy water heaters, or if you're not in the market, you can learn all about them. We have lots of great how-to articles and answers to frequently asked questions, so be sure to read through our water heater resources before making a purchase or tackling a project.

If you are looking for tankless tutorials and FAQ's, you're in the wrong place.

Water Heaters 101

• Water Heater Buyer's Guide - learn all the primary considerations that go into choosing a water heater.
• What Is a Water Heater? - get a good grasp of the basics, like how they work.
• Tankless vs. Tank - every homeowner faced with replacing their water heater should be considering a tankless installation. Compare the pros and cons of each, and make the best investment for your home.
• How to Light a Water Heater Pilot Light - it's normal for a pilot light to go out, and it's not very difficult to re-light. Learn how to right here.
• Turn on Gas/Electric Water Heaters - learn the process for both kinds of fuel types. Safety first, read up a little bit before tackling any task where gas or electricity is involved.
• Change Water Heater Temperature - adjusting the temperature is not always as easy as turning a dial, depending on the installation. You might have to remove a panel or two.
• What Temperature Should a Water Heater Be? - this is an important question because you'd be surprised about how quickly skin can burn at temperatures just slightly higher than the recommended maximum.
• Why Does the T&P Valve Keep Opening? - your water heater may be trying to tell you something if the pop-off valve keeps opening. Diagnose potential issues with knowledge gained from this post.

Installation

• Electric Hot Water Heater Installation - follow these steps to install an electric tank.
• Gas Hot Water Heater Installation - learn the proper procedure for gas installations.
• Soldering Water Heater Pipes - learn how to solder your hot water outlet on your water heater.
• Water Heater Expansion Tank Installation - this is an important safety feature with water heaters, and a novice DIY homeowner can handle this project. Read all about it.
• Gas Water Heater Venting Options - figure out what your installation is going to require: atmospheric, power vent, or direct vent?
• Wiring a Hot Water Heater - with electric units, getting the wiring right is pivotal to a proper installation. Get all your ducks in a row by reading this article before attempting this project.

Maintenance

• How to Flush a Water Heater - to clean sediment, minerals, and other solids out of the water heater, you need to drain the system properly.
• How to Turn Off a Water Heater - there is a proper way to shut down your water heater when you leave town for an extended time frame. Learn more here.
• Testing a Water Heater Element - a bad element can lead to cold water. Test to make sure it's still working following these easy steps.
• How to Reset a Water Heater - resetting the water heater is usually as easy as pressing a button, but learn more about it, so you have all your bases covered.
• How to Reset an Electric Water Heater - if you're taking cold showers and don't know what went wrong, there may be an easy fix. Learn how to reset the unit, and what to do if the button doesn't click.

Repairs

• Replacing a Water Heater - when it comes time to replace your water heater, check out what our experts have to say.
• Water Heater Thermocouple Replacement - if your water heater pilot keeps going out, you may need to replace the thermocouple. Learn how!
• How to Change a Water Heater Element - learn how, when, and why you need to replace a heating element.
• How to Replace the T&P Valve - this is a job most anybody can handle, you need the right know-how. Replace this vital valve to make your installation safer.
• Water Heater Thermocouple Cleaning - sometimes your thermocouple doesn't work correctly simply because it needs a good cleaning. It's a delicate instrument, so be sure to follow these steps.
• How to Test a Water Heater Thermostat - learn how to test, and if need be, replace a thermostat.
• What to Do If the Water Heater is Leaking - leaks are a common issue with water heaters, and every homeowner should know how to handle them, and with urgency.