Gas water heater replacement .?

by Water Heaters on May 28, 2010

I need to replace my old 40 gal gas water heater and have a question. The old water flex lines are soldered to the main water lines up above and I just need to know if I can heat the old joints enough to work them loose or will I have to use a hack saw? Can a old soldered joint be re-soldered?


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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

mermeliz May 28, 2010 at 7:37 pm

Yes you can heat it up enough to remove the old fitting. Yes you can re-solder a new fitting onto it. You must be careful to allow the old fitting to heat up enough for you to wiggle it off without twisting and deforming the copper pipe that it is fitted on. Then before replacing the fitting heat up the solder that is on the pipe end and wipe it smooth with a clean rag. then clean the end with emery cloth or a "wire brush end cleaner" and put some flux on the end before replacing your fitting. it should solder on quite well. If you deform the end, then you will have to cut the end clean. preferably\y with the tubing cutter but a hack saw will work in a pinch.

Mel May 28, 2010 at 7:37 pm

solder is solder heat it up and it melts . After you unsolder the old joint clean with sand cloth and add new flux and it will solder back up just fine .

jamesbergen50 May 28, 2010 at 7:37 pm

Heat and remove the old joint. Now is a good time to look and see how much lime ans rust is in the pipe. Might be a good time to consider replacing some pipe as well. If the pipe looks good clean and sand it before replacing the joint. Old joints can be cleaned and reused. SOME TIMES! But if it don’t work? Is it really worth the time and effort to redo? I would recommend new joints. Why have to do it twice?

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