# Lifting a hot water heater by yourself **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 12, 2014, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647 "2014-06-12T18:12:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PurpleClogs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f04885/32.png) [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/1 "2014-06-12T18:12:19Z")
My husband plans on replacing the electric hot water heater that’s in our garage soon, by himself. The challenge is not the plumbing, but how to lift it the 18 inches or so onto the stand. He doesn’t have a plan for that part yet, although tentatively mentioned a pulley system. He’s got a old back injury. So I’m a bit concerned. Any suggestions (besides hire a plumber) or words of advice from those who have tried it? ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/2 "2014-06-12T18:19:55Z")
A hot water heater weighs what, 150 lbs? I’d just lift it. But it sounds like your husband’s best bet is to pay someone $50 to do the lifting. Beats dropping it from a jury-rigged pulley system or ending up in bed with a wrenched back. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/3 "2014-06-12T18:26:20Z")
Just tilt it back, way back, get one ‘corner’ of the heater up onto the stand, stand it up and slide it over. It’s going to be harder to get the old one off. BTW, plan for it to take about an hour to an hour and a half to get all the water out of the old one. The more water you get out, the less you have to drag out of the basement (if that’s where it is). ---
**Author:** ![PurpleClogs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f04885/32.png) [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/4 "2014-06-12T18:34:59Z")
It’s in our garage. He said he’ll use a garden hose to empty most of it. But if it runs onto the floor, no big deal. It’s sloped to the street. He has a degenerating disc. So I’m just worried about the weight. He’s a big guy though, so there may be nothing to worry about. I was just hoping there was some simple solution he hadn’t thought of. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/5 "2014-06-12T18:43:38Z")
Find a neighbor. Maybe two. It’ll cost you a few beers and maybe a pizza. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/6 "2014-06-12T18:43:55Z")
Got any spare lumber lying around, or willing to buy a dozen or so 8-foot 2x4s? Cut lengths of a few inches longer than the water heater is wide. Lay 2 down parallel to each other far enough apart that they will support the edge of the water heater, and “walk” the water heater onto them. Then, at right angles to the first two, _carefully_\* tilt the water heater back and put two more (one per side). Repeat until the desired height is reached. Then “walk” the water heater over to the stand. No lifting at all, but it is time consuming. \*After about 4 iterations, this word needs to be emphasized more and more strongly each time. ---
**Author:** ![jonesj2205](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecc23a/32.png) [@jonesj2205](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonesj2205)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/7 "2014-06-12T18:44:14Z")
Joey P pretty much has it nailed. Removing the old one has always been worse for me than putting the new one in. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/8 "2014-06-12T18:55:38Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > A > But it sounds like your husband’s best bet is to pay someone $50 to do the lifting. Probably some beer would be enough. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/9 "2014-06-12T19:11:47Z")
get in position next to the stand, tip from side to side adding short lengths of cut lumber in a stack until it is above the stand height. then move the heater over. have all the cut lumber. have two or more people for the whole operation depending on space and strength. have a plan before you start to do the job. when you have a hazardous situation (like when a person puts their hand under the tipped water heater to place a block of wood) then only do that for a short time with communication. ‘i’m putting my hands underneath now’ ‘my hands are out of the way now’ ‘can i tip the water heater now?’ with a plan and good communication then new or hard tasks can be done will little risk to people or property. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/10 "2014-06-12T19:13:46Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > get in position next to the stand, tip from side to side adding short lengths of cut lumber in a stack until it is above the stand height. then move the heater over. Wow, that plan sounds familiar. ---
**Author:** ![PurpleClogs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f04885/32.png) [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/11 "2014-06-12T19:15:33Z")
Thanks for all the great ideas, and cautions too! ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/12 "2014-06-12T20:04:04Z")
RE: moving the old one. Don’t hurt yourself with a half-full used one. Move the car and just tip it over. Its not like its going to be any more “junk”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/13 "2014-06-12T21:07:39Z")
> [@PurpleClogs](#): > > He’s got a old back injury. So I’m a bit concerned. You should be. I did this back when I was young and foolish. Two people can do this in about 5 minutes, if everything is ready. Your husband should have someone help him. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/14 "2014-06-12T21:13:26Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > A hot water heater weighs what, 150 lbs? I’d just lift it. > > But it sounds like your husband’s best bet is to pay someone $50 to do the lifting. > > Beats dropping it from a jury-rigged pulley system or ending up in bed with a wrenched back. It may not be the weight so much as it’s large and awkward. I would look for a buddy to help before dumping time and money into a bunch of 2x4s. If he does any car maintenance and has some car ramps he might be able to scoot it up those. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/15 "2014-06-12T21:53:40Z")
If your water is already hot, why do you need to heat it? 😃 (sorry, pet peeve of mine!) ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/16 "2014-06-12T22:02:51Z")
to hold heated water at a set temperature it needs to supply heat to hot water. some of the time it is a hot water heater. maybe the only time it is a cold water heater is when there is a fresh fill or when you drain the tank. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/17 "2014-06-12T23:59:19Z")
If it’s an old water heater that’s been used for many yours, and your water is hard, there could be a couple hundred pounds of rock and mineral buildup on the inside of it. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2014, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/18 "2014-06-13T00:30:10Z")
Rent or borrow a cheap engine hoist? I’ve used my engine hoist for lots of odd things around the house from radiators to pianos. Just watch how you sling it. ---
**Author:** ![PurpleClogs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f04885/32.png) [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2014, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/19 "2014-06-13T01:29:48Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > You should be. I did this back when I was young and foolish. Two people can do this in about 5 minutes, if everything is ready. Your husband should have someone help him. It’s been a few years since he had a problem with it and he does special exercises to strengthen the surrounding muscles. He will be careful and I’ll be there to help a bit. > [@Gatopescado](#): > > RE: moving the old one. Don’t hurt yourself with a half-full used one. Move the car and just tip it over. Its not like its going to be any more “junk”. 😃 He should be able to just roll it down the driveway. > [@SmellMyWort](#): > > It may not be the weight so much as it’s large and awkward. I would look for a buddy to help before dumping time and money into a bunch of 2x4s. If he does any car maintenance and has some car ramps he might be able to scoot it up those. When we moved into the house we were standing in the kitchen wondering how to get the new fridge inside. He said “I have an idea” and disappeared. About a minute passed and here he comes waddling with the fridge in a bear hug and set it down right in place. What’s next. He’s a big guy, Polish and Hungarian, but still…it’s a big fridge. We still laugh about that. Oh to be young! We have some spare wood in the garage but no car ramps. > [@jtur88](#): > > If it’s an old water heater that’s been used for many yours, and your water is hard, there could be a couple hundred pounds of rock and mineral buildup on the inside of it. Lord I hope not. We do get that stuff in the fridge water filter so I’m sure there is some. We think it’s around 18 years old. > [@kopek](#): > > Rent or borrow a cheap engine hoist? I’ve used my engine hoist for lots of odd things around the house from radiators to pianos. Just watch how you sling it. Good idea. ---
**Author:** ![busterpickle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@busterpickle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/busterpickle)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2014, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647/20 "2014-06-13T05:53:09Z")
What’s above you? Can you use rope and pulley to lift it, and then swing it out? That’s what I would do. But, I think a bear hug, tilting back, and lifting with his legs would also do it. However, with any kind of back injury I would not do this alone. In theory, he should not be lifting anything over 50 pounds. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-a-hot-water-heater-by-yourself/690647.md?page=2)