Kenmore 153.31242 - Manual (Page 8)

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Removing the Old Water Heater
1. Turn “OFF” electrical supply to the water heater.
2. Open a nearby hot water faucet until the water is no longer hot.
When the water has cooled, turn “OFF” the water supply to the
water heater at the water shut-off valve or water meter.
FIGURE 2.
3. Attach a hose to the water heater drain valve and put the other
end in a floor drain or outdoors. Open the water 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.
4. Check again to make sure the electrical supply is turned
“OFF” to the water heater. Then unplug the water heater
(cord set) or disconnect the electrical supply connection from
the water heater junction box.
5a. 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.
This will avoid cutting off the 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.
5b. If you have galvanized pipe 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.
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.