Water Heater Removal and Disposal: What Homeowners Need to Know

Published October 31, 2026 · Home Appliance Removal editorial team

A tank water heater usually lasts around 8 to 12 years. When it starts leaking from the tank or the bottom is rusting through, replacement is the only real fix — and the old one has to go somewhere. Here is what removal involves.

Repair or replace?

Not every problem means a new heater. A failed heating element or thermostat on an electric model, or a thermocouple or igniter on a gas model, is usually a modest repair. A leak from the tank itself, however, cannot be repaired. Water pooling under a heater that is past ten years old is a strong signal to replace it.

Permits and who should do the work

Replacing a water heater is plumbing work, and gas models also involve a gas line and a flue. Many jurisdictions require a permit and inspection for a replacement, and the work is often limited to licensed contractors or the homeowner of an owner-occupied house. Check with your local building department before you start. If the replacement is done by a plumber, haul-away of the old tank is usually part of the quote.

Draining and disconnecting

1. Shut off the energy. Turn the breaker off for an electric heater, or turn the gas valve to off for a gas heater.
2. Shut off the cold-water supply at the valve above the heater.
3. Let the water cool. Water in the tank can scald; wait several hours or overnight.
4. Drain the tank. Attach a hose to the drain valve, run it to a floor drain or outside, and open a hot tap in the house to let air in. Sediment can clog the valve, so be patient.
5. Disconnect the water lines, the gas line (capped properly) or the electrical connection, and the vent pipe on gas units.

Moving it

An empty tank is awkward rather than heavy, but sediment left in the bottom adds weight. Use an appliance dolly and a helper, especially on stairs. Our guide to moving heavy appliances covers safe techniques.

Where it can go

• Scrap metal yards — most accept drained water heaters as steel.
• County recycling centers — Mecklenburg County's full-service centers accept appliances; confirm water heaters before you go.
• Curbside bulky pickup — some cities collect them; check your local rules.
• The installer — the simplest option when a plumber fits the new unit.

For other removal costs, see our breakdown of what appliance removal costs.