A water heater’s delicate glass lining is inside its delicate metal housing. Resting on its side can be pretty dangerous for the water heater. Can you lay a water heater on its side? Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to move a water heater vertically.
The rest of this article will go through safe methods for moving a water heater on its side.
How Fragile Are Water Heaters
The inside of the water heater is incredibly delicate and prone to damage from vibration when in motion. While tank water heaters only last 10–12 years, tankless water heaters often last 18–20 years. Traditional tank storage water heaters typically last between 10 and 15 years, whereas tankless models can last up to 20 years.
Many who have transported water heaters have personal experience suggesting that even slight vibrations can damage internal components, such as the glass lining or dip tube, potentially shortening the heater’s lifespan.
How Can You Lay A Water Heater On Its Side?
There is a ton of misinformation about how carrying water heaters lying down might cause glass linings to break, anode rods or dip tubes to flex or damage, or some other fanciful issue.
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- Prepare the Water Heater for Transport
You must complete a few steps before your water heater is ready to be transported:
- Get your supplies together
- Garden Hose
- Bucket
- Screwdriver
- Pipe cutter
- Wrenches
- Make sure the electricity or gas is shut off.
- Take it away from the heat source (gas or electricity).
- Using a yard hose and bucket, drain any hot water that is left over.
Ensure the electricity or gas supply is safely disconnected. For gas water heaters, carefully detach the gas line using a wrench, ensuring no leaks. Remove the water heater from its heat source, whether gas or electric.
- Transport the Water Heater to Your Vehicle
The challenging aspect is this. It will help if you exercise extreme caution to prevent breaking the metal housing, rod, or dip tube. These components are necessary for a working water heater.
Now that the water heater has been detached and drained, you must transport it to the vehicle you used to carry it. It may be challenging for one person to lift a 150–200 pound (68–90 kg) water heater.
Can You Transport A Water Heater On Its Side?
It is feasible to transport a water heater on its side, provided you handle it with extreme care. From firsthand experience, individuals have noted that even when securing the pressure relief valve and other external components, it’s not just about the components; internal parts like the anode rod can also shift, leading to potential damage.
One person reported that despite careful preparation, their water heater still sustained damage due to vibrations during transport, requiring costly repairs.
If you’re planning to carry the water heater, it cannot be thrown around or have any weight placed on it. Parts inside and outside a water heater might move or break during transport, resulting in long-term damage.
Moving a water heater vertically and horizontally requires distinct procedures.
We have posted a tutorial that explains how to move a water heater horizontally and vertically to prevent damage. If you lack the necessary tools or physical strength, you would be better off paying someone to do this.
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Also, if you transport a water heater improperly, you could have to replace it, which would be expensive.
Before moving your water heater, it’s also wise to inspect all connections, including the gas line and water pipes, to ensure they are fully disconnected and capped. This precaution prevents any accidental leaks or damage.
When laying the water heater on its side, use padding to protect the outer casing and internal components from shock and vibrations, which could compromise the integrity of the glass lining or internal mechanisms.
Experts with years of experience suggest using at least 3-4 inches of thick foam or a moving blanket to mitigate shock and reduce the risk of damage, especially for older models more susceptible to such issues.
Comparison Table: Vertical vs. Horizontal Transport
| Aspect | Vertical Transport | Horizontal Transport | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Risk of Internal Damage | Low | High | Use additional padding for horizontal transport. |
| Pressure Relief Valve Security | Easy to maintain secure | Challenging | Secure the valve and double-check for leaks. |
| Glass Lining Integrity | Generally safe | Vulnerable to damage | Transport vertically when possible; use thick padding if horizontal. |
| Ease of Movement | It can be high if damaged | More compact but higher risk | Hire professional movers for horizontal transport if unsure. |
| Cost of Potential Repairs | Minimal | Can be high if damaged | Avoid moving alone; use proper equipment. |
Final Takeaway
Hopefully, by this point, you will have enough knowledge to decide how to move your water heater. Your question now might be: Can a water heater be transported on its side? If unsure, we strongly advise hiring assistance if you work on this project alone. Due to its weight and size, a water heater will be challenging to move independently.
You’ll almost certainly run into a problem if you try to handle this on your own, which might result in permanent harm or even injury. So, instead, be sensible, follow the proper procedures, and take your time with this process.
Avoid rushing the procedure and buying a new water heater. Although the water heater may appear to be a vast empty tank, its inside parts may be damaged if it is dropped or rolled while being moved.
