No Drain Water Heater Element Replacement - Homesteading Have To's 

Me and a buddy did this last summer. We used a wash rag to plug the hole. That bought us a little more time when we were changing the element. I like the idea of changing both elements at the same time. If one is dead the other is dying. And the elements are cheap enough. Very informative video, thanks.

I just know,that if I tried this, I would have 40 gallons of water on my floor. If anything could go wrong, I guarantee it would go wrong for me But I understand the principle and it is a great idea to save a bunch of time and work

I surely am glad your hiatus is over so now I can get on to the next thing!! Glad your back!!!

Great idea not to drain You are right about water running out to the shopping bag very little I love your idea ❤

Good job

Good to see you back Joel. Thanks for sharing

Excellent- you are pretty quick. Will have to try that sometime

Hey again, I did it! Much slower than you but couldn’t have done it without you. I had to replace the thermostat too and those 8 gauge wires are a pain. Cost about $30 instead of the $200 the local pros wanted. Thanks again for your efforts in educating the home improvement impaired ~ Paul.

If I may add some additional tips here: Did this yesterday on my Lower Element being mine wouldn't drain due to rust/sediment as it's nearly 10yrs old, and a plumber friend said he's done thousands of them this way over his career not only due to being faster, but draining an old tank can disturb sediment at the bottom that may cause a leak if it's disturbed (In my case clogging the drain valve immediately)... 1. Do NOT leave any sink faucets on if doing this way so that it creates an air lock within the tank, this will keep water from gushing out being the tank will try to suck in air for a few seconds when you remove the original one, it just runs out of the lower lip slowly like pouring something from a cup VS blasting out with pressure if faucets are open. 2. Instead of using a bag to catch the water, while that works, I used a new (unopened) trash bag and tucked the edges over/around the insulation to protect it, and to where the bag sat under the element with the bottom of the bag leading into a dish pan, like a shield + water slide.. 3. Loosen the cap with the deep socket and then go slowly by hand, once you see water start to trickle around the edges, it's basically unthreaded enough to pull out or VERY close, so just pull it out and do a fast swap with the other hand and started screwing it on by hand and the water will stop in a few seconds. I probably only lost a 1-2 cups of water in a 10 second period and it all slid down the bag and into the dish pan, most of the water loss was when screwing the other one in by hand and it leaking around the sides for a few seconds .... it was shockingly easy... 4. Get the new one snug by hand, THEN Use your socket to tighten it back down fully. Replace wires, cut water back on, let your faucets run to release air and then you can cut the breaker/power back on to the tank. Job done! Again, It was my first time and I feel like draining it would have probably caused more of a mess than this did, I was shocked.

Great video

Aweson!!

Was wondering if that was possible. Thanks

Great 👍 video.

Dip tube would have been my first concern, since you state it only last a few minutes. A Cracked or Broken Dip Tube will allow Cold water to enter higher in the tank and Blend faster with the already heated water. The first thing one needs to do in determining a bad thermostat is to Get a multi-meter, Run the hot water long enough to trip the top Thermostat, then read Voltage on the Top Element.(240v) Next, Wait, testing every few minutes until the Top Thermostat switches to turn off the upper Element and turn on the Lower element. At that point test the Lower Element for 240v. Also - Sediment build up can Bury a lower Element causing it to be ineffective or even burn out.

I have a problem with a burned out bottom element and came across your video on this issue, so it was very helpful to learn how to do a 'no drain', thank you. Did you have to wait a while for the water to cool off on the top element first since it was still working? If so, how long? Or did you replace the top the same day you did the bottom? Wasn't quite clear in the video. I'm thinking of replacing top element too just for the heck of it.

How did you remove the water pressure? Just turn off your valve and run the faucets until the lines are empty?

That was terrific, thanks! When you replaced the top element was that a no-drain situation too?

WI that also work for the top element?

Yall get you an inch and half socket and a half inch drive ratchet. Don't use that damn wrench you'll thank me.

Is the insulation wet?

Q