annelisemcl
New Member
Hello all and thank you in advance for your replies.
I am going to attempt to replace the bottom element (or maybe both top & bottom) on my BW electric tanked water heater but I have some questions for the experts. I am pretty sure the bottom element is inoperable because the bottom of the tank remains cool to the touch, every few months the hot water becomes scalding hot and then the upper safety shut-off shuts off and I reset it, and just now I have even lowered both the top and bottom thermostats and the water continues to be very hot (meat thermometer in glass of water from the kitchen hot tap put the water at 140degrees).
I am not a plumber nor an electrician. I have done some minor electrical & plumbing repairs. Here are my questions:
1.) I know I have to drain the tank completely to begin work on the element replacement. Instead of dumping 88 gallons of heated water outside on the lawn(we have a septic so I don't like to unnecessarily put water into the system) can I turn off the circuit at the breaker & shut off the cold water entry on the tank to use up some of the tanked water in showers & sinks? Will this damage the internal house plumbing or tanked WH in any way? Will I have a problem with excessive air in my hot water lines if I do this once I go to recharge the hot water tank and turn the electrical power back on?
2.) I have read some of the threads on this site and without having a certified plumber coming to diagnose an element verses a faulty thermostat, do you recommend I replace the lower thermostat at the same time as the lower element (a 2 pack for the correct element is $25 and I will need to purchase the removal tool for $10) or as many of you have stated you rarely see the thermostat go but often see the bottom element go as it is the "workhorse" of the WH tank? Should I replace both upper & lower elements at the same time (is this why BW sells it as a 2 pack)?
3.) As this will be my first time ever doing this, are there any things you suggest I do, don't do, be aware, or insider tips only a person who often works on a WH would know?
4.) Lastly, is this beyond a DIYer? Be honest now, I can take it. One thread had 2 pros debating and my impression by the end was that if someone unfamiliar with electrical wiring tried this themselves the potential was for sudden death! Other threads makes it sound relatively simple as long as I am sure to copy the wiring before I undo it so I put it back exactly the same (and BW has a wiring diagram on the backs of both my panel covers).
Thanks,
AnnElise
I am going to attempt to replace the bottom element (or maybe both top & bottom) on my BW electric tanked water heater but I have some questions for the experts. I am pretty sure the bottom element is inoperable because the bottom of the tank remains cool to the touch, every few months the hot water becomes scalding hot and then the upper safety shut-off shuts off and I reset it, and just now I have even lowered both the top and bottom thermostats and the water continues to be very hot (meat thermometer in glass of water from the kitchen hot tap put the water at 140degrees).
I am not a plumber nor an electrician. I have done some minor electrical & plumbing repairs. Here are my questions:
1.) I know I have to drain the tank completely to begin work on the element replacement. Instead of dumping 88 gallons of heated water outside on the lawn(we have a septic so I don't like to unnecessarily put water into the system) can I turn off the circuit at the breaker & shut off the cold water entry on the tank to use up some of the tanked water in showers & sinks? Will this damage the internal house plumbing or tanked WH in any way? Will I have a problem with excessive air in my hot water lines if I do this once I go to recharge the hot water tank and turn the electrical power back on?
2.) I have read some of the threads on this site and without having a certified plumber coming to diagnose an element verses a faulty thermostat, do you recommend I replace the lower thermostat at the same time as the lower element (a 2 pack for the correct element is $25 and I will need to purchase the removal tool for $10) or as many of you have stated you rarely see the thermostat go but often see the bottom element go as it is the "workhorse" of the WH tank? Should I replace both upper & lower elements at the same time (is this why BW sells it as a 2 pack)?
3.) As this will be my first time ever doing this, are there any things you suggest I do, don't do, be aware, or insider tips only a person who often works on a WH would know?
4.) Lastly, is this beyond a DIYer? Be honest now, I can take it. One thread had 2 pros debating and my impression by the end was that if someone unfamiliar with electrical wiring tried this themselves the potential was for sudden death! Other threads makes it sound relatively simple as long as I am sure to copy the wiring before I undo it so I put it back exactly the same (and BW has a wiring diagram on the backs of both my panel covers).
Thanks,
AnnElise