Natural gas union on a hot water heater

rioguia · Mar 15, 2008

I have to replace my Whirlpool Flame Lock water heater. I am having a little problem removing the natural gas feed to the tank. Can anyone tell me which way to turn the union to unscrew the attachment?

I need to know:
1. should I use the large wrench on the union to hold the pipe steady or am I turning it (clockwise / counter-clockwise)?
2. alternatively, am I turning to small wrench on the bottom of the union and turning there (clockwise / counter-clockwise)?

See picture

Thanks for you help in advance.

Master Plumber Mark · Mar 15, 2008

a small queston for you

I dont mean to be sarcastic here....and usually I
try to be more helpful........but

if you dont know how to take a gas union off a water heater without asking advice on a plumbing forum......

do you think it a good idea to attempt to tackle the job in the first place??

it appears from the photo that you want to crank it counter clockwise?

dont get yourself in troubles...

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

rioguia · Mar 15, 2008

I still need help.

Are you telling me to crank the large wrench counter-clockwise?

Herk · Mar 15, 2008

From what I can tell by the photo, your silver-colored wrench is in the correct position, but you may need a larger backup wrench.

And what Mark said is probably true: you're risking the life of yourself and your family as well as major property destruction if you mess up. It's not what you know about plumbing that will get you into trouble, it's what you don't know that you don't know.

Gary Swart · Mar 15, 2008

If you really look at a union, you can see which way the come off. I'd replace that solid plumbing with a flex pipe made for gas. Hope you know enough not get get another Whirlpool.

hj · Mar 15, 2008

union

The big nut has thread on one side of it. That thread unscrews counterclockwise from the half of the union on that side. In your picture it appears that the threaded half is on the bottom.

Jimbo · Mar 15, 2008

Hold the black wrench steady, pull the blue wrench towards you.

Gary Swart · Mar 15, 2008

If you try to go the wrong direction, it will not move, but you won't hurt anything. I second the opinion that you don't have the experience to be messing with gas. Call a licensed professional.

Redwood · Mar 15, 2008

Gas...
The energy source that can make your house sneeze...
One minute you own a fine home...
and the next minute you have a vacant lot with a pile of toothpicks in it!

Seriously! Hire a plumber for the gas work!

Natural gas union on a hot water heater

rioguia

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Master Plumber Mark

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Herk

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