Replies

1. 
   IronHelix | Oct 10, 2007 12:28pm | #1

   It is a wonderful experience. :>(

   It was done in a large open basement area....noisy, messy, arduous!

   Lots of sawzall blades, explitives and band-aids.

   Remove the door will be easier plus it will allow for the new heater to enter.

   .................Iron Helix

2. 
   LeeLamb | Oct 10, 2007 04:46pm | #2

   Disconnect and drain the tank. Take a hatchet and make a horizontal starter cut in the middle of the tank. There are two layers of metal with insulation in between.  Use a Sawzall and cut it in half. Bend, fold and mutilate the top to get it small enough to remove. The sides should easily be bent.  Watch out! The edges are sharp.  DAMHIKT

   Wear gloves and eye protection.  

   If you still can't get it through the small opening, you already have the Sawzall there for plan two.   ;-)

3. 
   JohnT8 | Oct 10, 2007 04:53pm | #3

   Have you already measured the new water heater and confirmed that it would go through the door?  Wouldn't make sense to tear up the old wh to get it out and then not be able to get the new one in.

   In which case I'd probably take the door out or remove a section of the wall.

    

   jt8

   "Those who wish to sing always find a song." -- Swedish Proverb

1. 
   RobWes | Oct 10, 2007 06:02pm | #4

   You can always cut the new one in half to make it fit. :-)

1. 
   JohnT8 | Oct 10, 2007 06:13pm | #5

   If his old one had been gas, he could simply have put a tankless heater in.  But IIRC, the electric tankless aren't any cheaper to operate.

    jt8

   "Those who wish to sing always find a song." -- Swedish Proverb

1. 
   CapnMac | Oct 10, 2007 07:29pm | #6

   If his old one had been gas, he could simply have put a tankless heater in.

   Well, but the door/wall demolition would still be handy, what with often needing a larger gas line or b-flue or both for the tankless.

   While OP has the tape measure out, it's not a bad idea to measure any stairs, landings, or the like for entry of new tank as well as exit of the old.  Don't ask me how I know this.

   Just no fun at all with WH work.  Old one is heavy, awful, likely rusty where it ought be smooth, and slippery where you need a grip.  New one is pristine & unblemished, and nobody wants to change that right out of the box.

   Oh, when you get the new WH, on crate it in the garage or some similar place.  Use the cardboard carton and a big marks-a-lot or sharpie ans lay out the exact dimensions of the closet on that cardboard first.  It's really a lot simpler to find out that the "twist" needed to get the drain line and the relief line where they ought to be requires a trip to the plumber's supply before hauling it down to the basement (or, locally, up into the attic).Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

1. 
   K1500 | Oct 10, 2007 09:07pm | #7

   I would replace it with a cold water heater.  After all, a hot water heater seems kind of redundant.  ;-)

2. 
   Pascanale | Oct 11, 2007 12:32am | #10

   And you, sir, are obviously an employee of the Department of Redundancy Department....

3. 
   hammer1 | Oct 11, 2007 05:01am | #11

   :-DBeat it to fit / Paint it to match

4. 
   holmie | Oct 11, 2007 06:19am | #12

   Thanks for all the good suggestions. Looks like a nasty job. By the way the heater is old and won't fit through a 24 inch door opening. New ones aren't to large for the door. Any way I'll let you know how it goes.

4. 
   MSA1 | Oct 10, 2007 11:51pm | #8

   Seems to me the bigger issue would be getting a new one in there.

   As others have posted its much better to install a "cold water heater". Hot water heaters are a scam.

5. 
   Sasquatch | Oct 11, 2007 12:22am | #9

   Think ahead.  Think about expending your energy on creating a larger door opening.