| Replacing a Gas Water Heater |
| Apprentice learns water heater basics. |
From "Trade School"
episode DTRS-207 |
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(Continued from page )
To connect the water heater to the water supply, James must transition the water valve removed earlier. He starts by cutting off the old fittings with a pipe cutter. Then, he burnishes the cut ends with an emery cloth to expose fresh copper (figure K). To prepare for soldering, he brushes on a paste flux (figure L) and twists on a copper union with built-in solder. James continues joining segments of pipe with unions and two new fittings in this manner. Once the correct assembly is achieved, James solders using a propane torch to apply even heat to each union liquefying the solder to make a seal (figure M).
With the new valve assembly ready to go, he rolls Teflon tape over the new fitting and counter-torques with open-end wrenches to connect it to the cold-water flex pipe installed earlier (figure N). He then solders a new union between the valve assembly and the incoming supply pipe (figure O).
With the cold water supply connected, James turns his attention to the hot water side. He starts by soldering a new fitting to the outgoing pipe he cut earlier (figure P). After rolling on some Teflon tape, he connects the hot flex pipe. James is now able to fill the heater with water. He turns on the main water, and then the cold-water valve. While the water filling, James and Carl connect the gas flex-line (figure Q) and reattach the duct and draft hood to vent the heater. Once the water is completely filled, Carl opens the gas shut-off valve and James ignites the pilot light, sets the temperature and the heater is ready to use (figure R).
In the next session, James sweats the details in installing a new shower stall and Jacuzzi tub.
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