Before and after
What the homeowner called about
A Broken Arrow homeowner's old Rheem water heater had failed, and they'd already arranged a warranty replacement: a 75-gallon AO Smith gas water heater waiting at Home Depot. What they needed was someone to get the old tank out, bring the new one home and install it properly.
What our plumber found
Casey and Jared removed the old Rheem, hauled it to Home Depot, picked up the warrantied 75-gallon tank and brought it back to the house. A 75-gallon gas tank is heavy and tall, and handling the swap ourselves meant the homeowner didn't have to rent a truck or wrestle a tank down the driveway.
How we fixed it
We didn't just reconnect the old fittings. The new tank went in with two 3/4-inch stainless steel tees, two 3/4-inch close nipples, two threaded water hammer arrestors, a 3/4-inch ProPress ball valve, two 3/4-inch male ProPress adapters and two 24-inch stainless steel flex connectors.
Why those parts matter:
- Stainless flex connectors on top. The flex connectors are one of the most common places a water heater starts leaking, so starting fresh there is cheap insurance.
- A new shutoff ball valve, so the tank can be isolated quickly for service or an emergency.
- Hammer arrestors absorb the bang when a valve closes fast, which takes stress off the tank connections.
What this means for your home
If your tank is under warranty, you may only be paying to have it swapped, and we're glad to do the pickup. Plan on replacing a tank around 10 to 15 years, and sooner only if you see heavy rust where the flex connectors attach on top or inside the combustion chamber. Tulsa-area water is hard, so we suggest flushing a tank every year to keep sediment from building up in the bottom.
Read more on water heater repair and our water heater replacement guide.
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Straight Answers
Can your plumber pick up a warranty replacement water heater?
Yes, our crew can pick up your warranty replacement tank and bring it to your residence for installation.
What size gas water heater was installed for this Broken Arrow home?
Our crew installed a 75-gallon gas water heater.
What fittings were used during the water heater installation?
Our plumber used stainless steel tees, close nipples, hammer arrestors, a propress ball valve, male adapters, and stainless steel flex connectors.
What happened to the old water heater?
Our crew removed the old unit and transported it away.
How long should a tank water heater last?
Plan on about 10 to 15 years, sooner with heavy rust at the top fittings or in the combustion chamber.
