On Feb 14, 10:29*am, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:
The one time I replaced a dip tube, this worked for me:

1) Shut off the water main, turn gas valve from middle to "warm"
2) Open the tank drain, open the upstairs faucets, *and drain a gallon or so
of water
3) Using tubing cutter, cut the cold water inlet tubing about 6 inches over
the tank
4) Pipe wrench, gently unthread the nipple and tube from inlet side
5) Check for dip tube, didnt find one. Slip the new tube in.
6) Solder half a copper union to the nipple I just threaded out (tubing
should be horizontal, balanced on a brick or something while soldering)
7) Rectoreseal the nipple, push the tubing from above out of the way, crank
the threaded part back in
8) Put the other half of the union on. Guess where to cut the other piece of
copper, size to fit
9) Sweat the other half the union to the copper coming from above
10) Snug down the union, turn water on, check for leaks, reset gas
thermostat

Present invoice to customer. Next change out will be a lot easier, since you
can just shut off the water, turn down the gas, and take it apart at the
union and the threads.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
*www.lds.org
.

"Andy" wrote in message

...

Thanks to all for the responses.

The tank was made in 1995 by Richmond.

My research shows that that model is among the ones that had defective
dip tubes.

The hot water situation for the present is just an annoyance.

I will decide later if I want to replace the dip tube.

Andy

dont mess with OP tank unless he is prepared for a ;leak and a instant
tank replacement.

tank is well past its service life