How do you drain a water heater?

Start by shutting off the water supply to the water heater. Turn off the power to the unit at the electrical panel for an electric heater or turn off the main gas supply valve for a gas heater. Let the water cool or run hot water in the shower to avoid scalding. Attach a regular garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank, place the other end outside the home or into a floor drain, turn on a nearby hot water tap, and open the drain valve. It may take hours for all the water to drain, especially if there is sediment in the tank.

How do you disconnect a water heater?

After draining the water heater, make sure the gas supply valve is closed if it is a gas unit. Use two wrenches to break the gas line at the union, cap the gas line, and disconnect the supply from the control valve. Disconnect the temperature and pressure relief valve discharge pipe and the vent pipe from the draft hood. Then use a pipe wrench to detach the remaining pipes from the tank and adjustable pliers to disconnect the water lines. In some cases, a steel wire saw may be needed if the water lines are glued securely in place.

Can I handle water heater installation or replacement myself?

Water heater repair, installation, and replacement often require shutting off utilities, disconnecting plumbing lines, and making sure the new unit meets local building codes. Many homeowners choose to have a licensed professional complete the work to ensure safety, proper ventilation for gas units, and compliance with permit requirements. Preparing the area and removing the old tank ahead of installation can help make the process smoother.

Pennsylvania Water Heater Removal

Q: How long does a water heater last?

A typical gas water heater lasts about 8 to 12 years. An electric water heater usually lasts 10 to 15 years. Tankless water heaters can last 15 to 20 years. Choosing the right unit and keeping it maintained can make a significant difference in performance and energy costs.

GET FREE ESTIMATE

"*" indicates required fields

Comments

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Name*

Email*

Phone*

ZIP Code*

What can we do for you?

How Did You Hear About Us?

Upgrading to an efficient tankless heater? Or do you just need to get rid of an old water heater tank? Main Line Junk offers fast, efficient water heater disposal in Philadelphia for households and businesses. We serve the entire Philadelphia area and haul away tankless, gas, and electric water heaters with same-day and next-day service available!

Affordable Water Heater Pickup in Philadelphia PA

Need an in-house water heater removal company? Main Line Junk can help whether you're:

Replacing an aging or failing old water heater
Upgrading to a new energy-efficient model
Switching to a tankless water heater, or
Switching from gas to electric

We're also here to help with prompt water heater removal in Philadelphia if an old tank has been illegally dumped on your property or you have junk appliances taking up space.

Disposal of hot water heaters is no easy task if you lack the essential equipment, vehicle, or help. An empty residential water heater tank weighs around 150 pounds, while large commercial tanks may be around 500 pounds.

The Philadelphia Streets Department will not accept oversized bulk items like hot water tanks for curbside collection. If you can't move your water heater or fit it in your vehicle, taking it to a drop-off center isn't an option.

Main Line Junk makes removing hot water heater tanks easy and painless. We can haul away all types of water heaters and offer appliance removal for any other unwanted appliances. Our company will take care to avoid damage to your home and property, load your old water heater, and sweep up any debris before we leave. We can't do any plumbing work, but we are happy to haul away any plumbing components and water lines during hot water heater disposal in Philadelphia.

With Main Line Junk, you can say goodbye to your old hot water heater in no time and rest easy knowing it will be properly recycled.

How to Prepare for Old Water Heater Disposal

Before our team arrives to put up your old water heater, there are a couple of steps you will need to take to get ready. Here's how to get rid of an old water heater with Main Line Junk!

Drain the water heater

Make sure the water heater is completely drained before our crew arrives! The standard residential water heater has a 50-gallon capacity. If it's full, that adds an extra 417 pounds to the weight. We can't move a water heater that isn't drained.

After turning off the power to the heater and turning off the main gas supply valve (if you have a gas water heater), you can use a regular garden hose to drain the heater.

Disconnect the water heater

Our company can't handle plumbing work or disconnect gas lines. Before we arrive, make sure your water heater is fully disconnected. Check your user manual for instructions to disconnect your water heater. We have included basic water heater disconnect instructions in the FAQs section below!

Point out what you want us to haul away

Once your water heater is drained and disconnected, it's ready for our crew to haul away! When they arrive, just point out the water heater so we can load it and make sure it's disposed of properly. You don't need to worry about moving it as long as it's disconnected and drained.

How to Dispose of a Water Heater in Philadelphia

Call Main Line Junk for a free estimate for water heater removal in Philadelphia. We'll schedule a convenient time for pickup as soon as same day or the next day. Our friendly crew will give you a call about 15 to 30 minutes before arriving. We will give you a firm quote for water heater disposal. If you accept, we can haul it away on the spot.

We will carefully load your old water heater and any debris, such as old water lines and sections of pipe, into our truck. Our junk haulers will take care to avoid any damage to your property. Before we leave, we will take the time to sweep up any debris and make sure we leave a clean space behind so you can enjoy added peace of mind.

Types of Water Heaters We Accept

Our team can haul away all types of water heaters, including standard household tanks and large commercial water heater tanks. We serve residential and commercial customers as well as property managers with fast, easy water heater disposal!

We haul away all types of water heaters, including:

Commercial water heaters
Gas water heaters
Electric water heaters
Hybrid & solar water heaters
Tankless water heaters
Boilers

Eco-Friendly Water Heater Recycling in Philadelphia

Main Line Junk is committed to environmentally friendly appliance disposal and keeping waste out of our landfills. Philadelphia hot water heater recycling allows materials like aluminum, steel, and copper from past units or inefficient storage tanks to be reclaimed instead of discarded. At Main Line Junk, we ensure old water heaters, including tankless models connected to your home’s plumbing system, are taken to a recycling center rather than the landfill.

Philadelphia Hot Water Heater Removal Cost

With Main Line Junk, you can count on an affordable, upfront water tank removal cost with no hidden fees. You pay for the space you take up with no surprise charges, saving you money and time!

Contact Main Line Junk for the best water heater removal services in Philadelphia and get started with a free estimate from one of the most reliable water heater disposal teams in the area. Book online or call our dependable Pennsylvania water heater removal team at 610-822-2507 to receive the most accurate, transparent pricing possible based on the details you provide. We’ll schedule a convenient pickup time and provide an all-inclusive, firm quote on-site. If you’re happy with the price, we can haul away your water heater right away.

Seniors qualify for a 10% discount, and we also offer preferred pricing for property managers and other recurring or contract jobs based on your service account!

Water Heater Disposal FAQs

Are Water Heaters Recyclable?

Yes, a water heater can be recycled with copper, brass, steel, and aluminum components that can be reclaimed.

How Do I Drain a Water Heater?

Start by shutting off the water supply to the water heater. You will see a shutoff valve at the top of the tank. Next, turn off the power to the water heater. With an electric water heater, you can shut off power at your electrical panel. With a gas heater, you will need to turn off the main gas supply valve. To avoid scalds, you can let the water in the tank cool off for at least several hours or run the hot water in the shower.

Once the water is cool enough, you can use a regular garden hose to drain the heater. Place one end outside the home or into a floor drain and attach the other end to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. Turn on a hot water tap close to the water heater to speed up the draining process, then open the drain valve. It may take hours for all the water to drain out of the tank, especially if there is a lot of sediment.

How to Disconnect a Water Heater?

After completing the steps above to drain the water heater, you will need to disconnect it. With a gas water heater, make sure the gas supply valve is closed. Use two wrenches to break the gas line at the union, cap the gas line, and disconnect the supply from the water heater's control valve.

Disconnect the temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve discharge pipe and then the vent pipe from the draft hood. Use a pipe wrench to detach the remaining pipes from the tank and adjustable pliers to disconnect the water heater's water lines. If unable, a steel wire saw may be needed, depending on whether the water lines are glued securely in place.

Can I Handle Water Heater Installation or Water Heater Replacement Myself?

Water heater repair, installation, and replacement, in most cases, requires shutting off utilities, disconnecting plumbing lines, and ensuring the new unit meets local building codes. Many homeowners choose to have this service installed or fixed by a licensed professional to ensure safety, proper ventilation for gas units, and compliance with permit requirements. However, preparing the area and removing the old tank ahead of installation can make all the difference in making the process smoother.

How Long Does a Water Heater Last?

A typical gas water heater lasts for about 8 to 12 years before you need to replace. An electric water heater lasts for 10 to 15 years. Tankless heaters can last for 15 to 20 years. This is why purchasing the right water heater and keeping it maintained can make a significant difference in your energy bills.

Call Main Line Junk for Water Heater Pickup in Philadelphia

Ready to get rid of your old or broken water heater? Disposing of hot water heater tanks is easy with the efficient team at Main Line Junk, ready to help you save time! Give our Philadelphia junk removal company a call today at (610) 757-5272 for a free estimate on an old water heater pickup in Philadelphia.