| Installing  a hot water heater often begins with removing the existing one. To begin this  procedure, shut off the water supply to the water heater. This can be done at  two different places. Cold water enters the water heater on the top, right side  of the heater through piping. If there is no valve located on the cold water  piping entering the water heater, the water supply for the entire home will  have to be shut off. After shutting off the water, begin draining the water  heater by opening the hot water spigots. Now it is time to shut off going to  the water heater. The line should have a valve located on it that goes to the  heater, simply shut it. If there is no valve, trace the line until one is found  and shut it off. With the water and shut off, it is time to continue removing  the water heater.  |  |  |