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Hot Water Heater Breakdown - Page 2

| Dismantling, Breaking Down & Maximizing Scrap
  1. #21
    Russell's Avatar
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    I've done about 10 of these this year. You are right on with the breakdown.



    Clear and concise with picts. I'm not big on breakdowns. I do grab easy parts, like you've outlined. The gas valve has always gone in with breakage, its not worth it to completely tear em down. Thanks.


  2. #22
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    Most of my hwh are electric. I grab the brass, copper and any wiring I can get. I remove the 2 covers for the elements, undo the screws holding the wire, then use pliers to pull them out. Sometimes they come right out, other times I leverage against the opening to pull it, other times they snap off. If they snap, I call it good. Too much work to cut it open.

    Have also been taking the elements out. Assuming they're ni-chrome?

  3. #23
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    On the power vent hwh and furnaces they are high efficiency. They are usually rate at 94+ efficiency or better so they can be installed without a chimney.

  4. #24
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    If i just cant get the vavles loose, i just saw off all i can with the sawz all,least i'm getting some.

  5. #25
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    Thank you for this tutorial KZ. If not for step two, I'd still be trying to pound the copper piece with the nipple out of the brass fitting. I felt pretty stupid when I saw that it just simply unscrewed lol.

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  7. #26
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    One time I picked up a piece of threaded steel pipe on a hot water heater. I threaded that into all of the brass fittings on the hot water heater and then I used a hammer to hit the pipe. Alot easier then vise grips and a lot faster. I saved that pipe and I use it for every hwh that I get now. Just a little trick that I have learned over the years.
    YOSF (You Only Scrap Forever)
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  9. #27
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    Just a tip I've been working on around my area: Whenever I see a Sole Proprietor plumber... an individual "one man & a truck" type of outfit, not a chain... I always stop & chat them up. More often than not, they scrap their own water heaters. But every once in awhile you'll come across a guy that doesn't. I added another guy to my contact list just today who just wants rid of them & said he'll even drop them off on my back driveway as he heads home.

    How cool is that?!?
    Out of clutter, find simplicity. --Albert Einstein

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  11. #28
    KzScrapper started this thread.
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    Not enough time in the day for many off these solo acts so I will also deliver the large equipment to my regulars occasionally (Fee)...Drop off the new grab the old, even clock in for a while even they need help.
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  13. #29
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    Thanks great info.

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    Sooo that's where my favourit hammer got to.

    Five year and above warrenty tanks get the brass drain valve.

    If you give the drain tap a good rap on the side the threads break off, same with the releif valve.

    For those hard to remove theaded copper fitting hold a hammer tight against the back side the hit the oposite side with a hammer makes the fitting slightly oval breaking it loose.


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