Water Heaters - Water Heater replacement and impending problem

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Voyzey
01-21-08, 08:06 AM
I have a water heater that I am going to be needing to replace. Installing the new one doesn't appear to be as big of a problem as removing the old one. Here's what I am up against...
The old water heater sits about 4" off the ground so the spigot is not much higher than that. I can attach a hose to the spigot to drain the water but I don't have a drain in the floor in order to drain the water into it. The only means for draining the water is by using the same drainpipe my washer drains into which is across the basement and up the wall about 3-4 feet.

What I am wondering though is how can I get the water pumped the whole way across my basement then up the wall to the drainpipe? Does anyone make a pump that I can attach to the water heater to do this? Could I drain the water into a basin then pump it up to the drainpipe? Does anyone have any other solutions? I'm open to whatever is easiest! If the pump is my only way to go does anyone know what specifically to buy and where I could get one?

Thank you!


badeyeben
01-21-08, 09:49 AM
If you have a drill they make a drill powered pump. It has fitttings for garden hose on it. Buy the pump and a washing machine hose. The washing machine hose has female fittings on both ends. Connect one to the water heater and the other to the drill. Connect a garden hose to the output of the drill pump. Turn the heater off (electric or gas) and also turn off the water supply. Open the drain at the bottom and a hot water facuet somewhere. Run the drill which runs the pump until heater is empty. You can run the outlet of the garden hose into your drainpipe or out a door or window to the yard. Depends on the length of your garden hose.
I got my drill powered pump at Wal-Mart for less than $10. Handy set-up to have around for any water removal problem. My wife even used it once to remove water from the sump in the basement when the power was out so she did not have to drag out the generator. Thankfully the power was only out a short time and the sump was not filling very fast.

Voyzey
01-21-08, 10:28 AM
Thank you very much for the great solution!!! I'm on my way to Wal-Mart to get one now! Thank you again! You've eased my mind immensely!!!!