DIY Network

Move It Outside Pt. 3: Outdoor Shower and Propane Lanterns DIY pro Jay Baker helps with yet another project to keep the guests at a family reunion outdoors: a poolside outdoor shower with propane water heater. From "Move It Outside" episode DMIO-103

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Installing the propane water heater

Propane Water Heater Installation

Materials:

tank-less water heater
copper tubing
brass connector
PVC pipe
template
shut-off valve
regulator
teflon tape

Tools:

wrench
tape measure
pipe cutter
soldering iron
pipe bender
core drill
hammer drill
concrete screws
screwdriver
marker

Important: Following is a summary overview of the steps in the water-heater installation, as seen in the demonstration in DIY's Move It Outside. Depending on the type and brand of product selected, specific installation steps may vary. Be sure to follow manufacturer's detailed directions and any safety precautions included with your water heater.

Important: For installation of a water heater, hiring a licensed plumber is recommended.

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Steps:

• Remove old electric water heater from the house.

• Decide where you want to install the new water heater

• Attach the paper template, provided in the kit, to the wall so you don't have to hold up the water heater to determine where the holes should be drilled.

• Use a hammer drill to pre-drill holes in the cinder block wall.

• Thread concrete screws through the tank's mounting hardware.

• Lift the tank and put it in position over the pre-drilled holes.

• Use a power drill or screwdriver to screw the unit into place.

• Run copper tubing from the 1000-gallon propane tank to the site of the new water heater

• To connect the new water heater, wrap Teflon tape around the gas valve at the bottom of the unit. Teflon tape creates an air-tight seal between the male and female connections.

• Attach a regulator to the bottom of the unit, measure and cut copper pipe to length, and use a brass connector to fasten the pipe to the regulator.

• Use a 90-degree bend to connect the propane line to the water heater.

• Attach a shut-off valve to the hot and cold water lines at the bottom of the unit.

• Since the valves for the water heater are on the bottom of the unit and the connection to the home's water line is on top, copper tubes have to be bent over and over again to accommodate and eventually connect the peculiar configuration.
  

  Figure A

• To create a vent for the propane water heater, use a core drill to make a hole through the wall of the garage (figure A).

  Note: We strongly recommend hiring a professional operator for this procedure.

• Insert a propane vent into the hole.

• Connect PVC pipes from the vent on top of the water heater to the vent in the wall.

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