Kenmore 153.33443 - Manual (Page 8)

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Removing the Old Water Heater
© Turn “OFF” the gas supply to the
water heater.
If the main gas line shut-off valve
serving all gas appliances is used,
also shut “OFF” the gas at each
appliance.
Leave all gas
appliances shut “OFF” until the
water heater installation is
completed, see Figures 2 and 3.
© Turn “OFF” the water supply to the
water heater at the water shut-off
valve or water meter. Some
installations require that the water
be turned off to the entire house,
see Figures 2 and 4.
Check again to make sure the gas supply is “OFF” to the
water heater. Then disconnect the gas supply connection from
the gas control valve.
Attach a hose to the water heater
drain valve and put the other end
in a floor drain or outdoors. Open
the water heater drain valve. Open
a nearby hot water faucet which will
relieve pressure in the water heater
and speed draining. The water
passing out of the drain valve may
be extremely hot. To avoid being
scalded, make sure all connections
are tight and that the water flow is
directed away from any person, see
Figures 2 and 5.
© Disconnect the vent pipe from the draft hood where it connects
to the water heater. In most installations the vent pipe can
be lifted off after any screw or other attached devices are
removed. Dispose of the draft hood. The new water heater
has a draft hood which must be used for proper operation.
If you have copper piping to the water heater, the two copper
water pipes can be cut with a hacksaw approximately four
inches away from where they connect to the water heater,
see Figure 6. This will avoid cutting off pipes too short.
Additional cuts can be made later if necessary. Disconnect
the temperature-pressure relief valve drain line. When the
water heater is drained, disconnect the hose from the drain
valve. Close the drain valve. The water heater is now
completely disconnected and ready to be removed.
If you have galvanized pipes to the water heater, loosen the
two galvanized pipes with a pipe wrench at the union in each
line. Also disconnect the piping remaining to the water heater,
see Figure 7. These pieces should be saved since they may
be needed when reconnecting the new water heater.
Disconnect the temperature-pressure relief valve drain line.
When the water heater is drained, disconnect the hose from
the drain valve. Close the drain valve. The water heater is
now completely disconnected and ready to be removed.
Mineral buildup or sediment may have accumulated in the
old water heater. This causes the water heater to be much
heavier than normal and this residue, if spilled out, could cause
staining.
FIGURE 7.