Replacing the leaking shut off valve on cold water inlet pipe

[xmlsoap]

After draining the electric water heater (cold inlet shut off) there is still a drip of water coming into the tank. If I shut-off the main valve then it stops. I currently have the heater drain opened to collect the water since I intend to replace the heater. I am still using cold water in the house.

If I shut off the main water valve and then cut the inlet pipe above the cold water ball valve, will the water in all the cold pipes come pouring down the cut tube? Or if I first keep all the faucets closed will this create an air lock and allow me to replace the valve with the water still in the pipes?

After I replace the cold water shut off valve, I intend to make a direct connection via a flex hose to the hot water outlet pipe, pending the new heater installation. Is it true that certain fixtures might not work if there is an absence of hot water pressure in the fixture? The shower or washing machine, perhaps?

thank you kindly.

 

[Fitter30]

Unless its top of the washer with a booster heater it doesn't care or know the difference.
Drain the whole system down turn water heater off then open all the valves. If water doesn't stop draining in a half hour. Cover water heater with plastic sheeting, use either a Pro press, compression or push to connect full port valve.
After the piping is complete let water run out all the fixtures before turning water heater back on.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[xmlsoap]

Unless its top of the washer with a booster heater it doesn't care or know the difference.
Drain the whole system down turn water heater off then open all the valves. If water doesn't stop draining in a half hour. Cover water heater with plastic sheeting, use either a Pro press, compression or push to connect full port valve.
After the piping is complete let water run out all the fixtures before turning water heater back on.

I'm sorry, I don't understand the answer. The water heater is turned off. The heater tank has been drained and the tank drain valve is open. The ball valve on the cold inlet pipe to the heater is shut off. I have cold water running to all my fixtures. Both the hot and cold pipes into the heater are still connected. There is no water going to the hot faucets.

What I want to do now is replace the shut off ball valve that is on the cold water pipe going into the tank. First I would shut off the main valve and open the valve going into the tank....then

If I cut the inlet pipe above the cold water valve will water in the cold water lines come pouring out of the cut tubing?

If so, what is the recommended procedure to avoid spilling water? Do I first need to open all the cold water fixtures or just one? Then will all the water come down into the tank before I cut? If there is such a thing as a locked air system, would it not be possible to cut the valve off without having to drain the cold water pipes?

Once I replace the shut off valve, I want to connect the cold water tank inlet directly to the hot water line to bypass the tank and remove it. I would then have cold water going to all faucets and fixtures.

Any other guidance from anyone, would really help this newbie.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Fitter30]

Top of the line clothes washers have a booster heater to adjust temp higher if needed.Did you close the water coming into the house? Then open all the valves then when draining the tank with fill valve open.