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How to Remove and Dispose of a Water Heater

Eventually, there may come a time when you need to upgrade from your older model water heater with something more efficient - and when this day arrives, you must know how to responsibly and safely remove and dispose of the old unit. M&M Waste goes through this removal and disposal process and discusses dumpster rentals as a convenient means for handling waste from this task.

Safety First

Before beginning any removal process, safety should always come first. Water heaters typically connect via gas or electricity and contain hot water, posing risks if handled incorrectly. Here are a few safety measures you should keep in mind:

• Switch Off The Power: For electric water heaters, disconnect the power at the circuit breaker, while for gas water heaters, turn off the gas supply valve.
• Allow Time to Cool Before Removing It: Be sure to allow enough time for the water heater to reach room temperature before taking any action since hot water and steam could potentially cause serious burns when removed abruptly.
• Wear Protective Gear: Wear safety goggles, gloves, and appropriate clothing to safeguard yourself against potential dangers.

Gather All Necessary Tools and Materials

To successfully uninstall and dispose of an old water heater, it will require certain tools and materials:

• Wrenches or pliers
• Pipe cutter or hacksaw
• Screwdriver
• Garden hose
• Bucket or drain pan
• Towels or rags
• Dolly or hand truck (for transportation)
• Disconnect the Power and Water Supply: Start by closing off your water source for your water heater and turning off its cold water valve. Next, connect a garden hose from this drain valve at the base of the heater directly to a suitable drainage location or bucket and open its drain valve to release any remaining water stored within its tanks - this step should help avoid spillages during removal.

Next, disconnect the power source. For electric water heaters, turn off their circuit breaker while, with gas water heaters, shut down their gas supply valve.

• Disconnect the Plumbing and Unseat the Water Heater: With wrenches or pliers in hand, disconnect both hot water outlet and cold water inlet pipes from your water heater - be prepared for some residual water to leak from these connections when disassembling them!

If your gas water heater uses natural gas, disconnect its gas supply line before unplugging the heater from power. Remove any other connections attached to it, such as electrical wires or control panels, as soon as you finish unplugging it from its connection point.

Once all connections have been disconnected, the water heater can be safely taken from its place of installation and moved elsewhere. For larger loads, dolly or hand truck services offer transportation assistance for safe transporting.

Dispose of the Water Heater

After your old water heater is no longer inconvenient, the next step should be responsibly considering its disposal. Water heaters can often be recycled successfully, while many components contain valuable resources that may be reused. Here are a few possible disposal strategies:

• Recycling Center: Reach out to your local recycling center and inquire if they accept old water heaters for recycling, as they could reuse metal components and properly dispose of any potentially dangerous materials.
• Scrap Yard: Some scrap yards offer compensation for old appliances, such as water heaters, that they accept into their collections program. Be sure to inquire about your community's acceptance policies before visiting one of them.
• Hire a Professional: If you need assistance disposing of your water heater safely and responsibly, hiring a professional disposal service could be right. They will make sure it gets recycled or destroyed responsibly.

Consider Dumpster Rental

Removing an old water heater on your own can generate considerable waste and debris, and renting a dumpster may be the optimal way to collect and dispose of both, plus all related debris, like pipes or insulation, in one location.

M&M Waste

M&M Waste offers reliable dumpster rental services, making water heater removal and other projects much simpler than before. Our knowledgeable dumpster company understands this need to rent a dumpster, offering seamless disposal solutions at every turn.