BoB wrote:

I know this must sound stupid, but how do you replace the element?
Do I need to drain the tank?
Thanks for any help.

BoB.

Unless you want to mop the floor, yes...

While you're at it and have the lower element out check for limestone
buildup on the bottom of the tank. If you have hard water, the reason
for the element failure may be due to the deposits building up and
causing the element eventually to overheat....we routinely would scrape
a couple inches of accumulated "oyster shells" out on a yearly basis...