- 1). Flip the breaker switch to the water heater to the "off" position at the breaker box. Locate the cold water intake shut off valve at the top of the water heater, closing the valve to turn off the supply of water to the water heater.
- 2). Connect a garden hose to the drain faucet at the bottom of the water heater, stretching the hose out so the end is put in a safe place to drain the water. Turn the drain faucet handle and drain the water out of the water heater.
- 3). Take the access cover off the water heater, unfastening the screws with a screwdriver. Pull the insulation back to allow access to the cap of the heating element.
- 4). Pull back the plastic terminal protector from over the end of the heating element. Disconnect the electrical wires on the end cap of the element by loosening the screws on the end cap with a screwdriver and pulling the electrical wires out of the way.
- 5). Loosen the heating element by using an element wrench, turning the heating element until you can remove it from the water heater. Pull the heating element out of the water heater, cleaning the debris and gasket material around the threads in the water heater.
- 6). Install the new heating element, screwing it in with an element wrench until the element is tight on the water heater. Place the electrical wires around the screws on the end cap of the element, the same way they came off, tightening the screws to secure the wires.
- 7). Place the plastic cover back over the end cap of the heating element. Move the insulation back over the heating element cap and attach the access cover to the water heater with screws.
- 8). Close the drain faucet at the bottom of the water heater. Unfasten the garden hose from the drain faucet and put the hose away.
- 9). Open the cold water valve at the top of the water heater to allow the water heater to fill back up with water. Flip the breaker switch for the water heater to the on position at the breaker box.
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