Larry Weingarten The Water Heater Workbook: A Hands-On Guide to Water Heaters

What this workbook is and who it’s for

Few household systems repay a little attention as generously as a water heater. The Water Heater Workbook is a compact, 166-page field guide that treats the tank-style heater as a manageable, maintainable appliance rather than a black box destined for early replacement. I used the workbook both as a learning resource and as a checklist while servicing a couple of residential units—one gas, one electric—and its step-by-step structure made the process straightforward, safe, and refreshingly methodical.

The author’s focus is firmly on conventional tank-type heaters, which still make up the bulk of installed units. If you’re a homeowner, a building maintenance tech, or a DIYer who’d rather extend the life of what you own than default to replacement, this book earns its keep. If you’re working with or considering tankless or heat-pump models, expect only light coverage.

Clarity and organization

The workbook is laid out for action: short explanations followed by procedures, checklists, and small exercises that reinforce the why behind each step. The diagrams are clear, practical line drawings—easy to reference in a cramped mechanical closet—and the writing stays approachable without glossing over safety. I appreciated the way it separates “pre-checks” (gas shutoff, power off, combustion air, venting, T&P discharge line) from maintenance tasks. That structure reduces the chance you’ll jump into a job without setting up a safe work environment.

Sizing and selection: better decisions before you buy

Even though the workbook is maintenance-forward, it opens with the fundamentals needed to size, select, and site a heater correctly. Sizing exercises helped me validate first-hour rating and recovery needs for a family of four, and the guidance on location—pan, drain, seismic strapping, combustion air—prevented a few rookie mistakes. The section on water quality (hardness, pH, chlorides) is concise and practical, tying water chemistry to real-world outcomes like sediment buildup, odor, and anode consumption. That connection isn’t often made in manufacturer quick-starts, and it matters.

Installation upgrades that pay off

Using the workbook’s procedures, I added three upgrades to a standard 50-gallon gas unit:

• Expansion tank: Clear diagrams for sizing and placement (on the cold side, properly supported) and tips for pre-pressurizing to match static water pressure. The book explains why closed systems need this to protect the T&P valve and reduce nuisance drips.
• Full-port drain valve: Swapping the flimsy factory drain for a ball valve made sediment removal dramatically faster. The workbook flags the need for metal-to-metal compatibility and proper thread sealant to avoid galvanic corrosion.
• Dielectric isolation and unions: A small addition that simplifies future service and reduces corrosion at the nipples. The cautions about cheap dielectric fittings were spot-on.

None of these steps require exotic tools, and the sequence in the workbook helped me plan material runs, shutdown windows, and testing without surprises.

Maintenance routines that actually extend life

I used the workbook’s preventive maintenance schedule as a template. Here’s how it translated in practice:

• Sediment flush: The book’s technique—bursts of cold-water agitation, then a controlled high-flow drain—cleared a remarkable amount of scale from a hard-water electric unit. The difference in burner cycling (on the gas unit) and element noise (on the electric) was immediate.
• Anode inspection and replacement: The workbook demystifies anode types and selection. I pulled a heavily depleted magnesium rod and replaced it with an aluminum-zinc alloy in a home with occasional odor complaints, per the guidance on sulfur bacteria. The torque tips, breaker-bar cautions, and “support the tank top” reminders prevented damage.
• T&P valve testing: Sensible advice on when and how to test, what “normal” looks like, and when replacement is safer than trying to coax an old valve back to life. The book’s explanation of discharge piping requirements—material, diameter, termination—aligns with code and is illustrated clearly.
• Thermostat and mixing valve: Important coverage on setting storage temperature safely and using a thermostatic mixing valve to mitigate scald risk while curbing Legionella concerns. This is the kind of nuance that rarely shows up in quick-start sheets.

These tasks are simple, but they’re easy to get wrong without a reliable process. The workbook provides that process.

Troubleshooting without guesswork

Where the workbook really shined for me was in diagnosing two common headaches:

• Smelly hot water: The diagnostic tree ties odor to water chemistry, anode type, and temperature settings. It offered a prioritized plan—shock chlorination, anode swap, temperature cycling—before jumping to replacement. In my case, the odor faded after the anode change and a controlled high-heat cycle.
• Intermittent hot water in a recirculating system: The book walks through checks for failed check valves, pump timers, and crossover via failed single-handle cartridges. I found a faulty check in the recirc loop using these steps and restored consistent hot delivery without chasing the heater itself.

For electric models, the continuity and voltage checks for elements and thermostats are laid out in an order that prevents unnecessary part swaps. On gas units, the guidance on combustion air, venting, and flame pattern reading is appropriately cautious and clear about when to stop and call a professional.

Safety and code awareness

The workbook hits the right balance on safety. It covers:

• Proper combustion air and venting checks for natural draft and power-vent units
• Seismic strapping, drain pans, and leak mitigation
• Correct T&P discharge piping and why “creative” terminations are dangerous
• Working around gas—a firm reminder to leak-test and to respect limits

It also makes a consistent point: local codes win. The book spends time on principles and standard practices; for jurisdiction-specific rules (vacuum relief, pan drains to daylight, bonding), it nudges you to confirm locally. That’s the responsible approach.

What could be better

• Tankless and heat pump coverage: The workbook is clearly optimized for tank-style units. It acknowledges other types but doesn’t equip you for deep maintenance or commissioning on tankless or hybrid heat pump units. If your home uses those, you’ll need a different reference.
• Brand-specific quirks: While the generic procedures are excellent, brand-specific parts and control differences (especially on newer electronic gas valves and smart diagnostics) are only lightly touched. Cross-check your model’s service manual before attempting control-related fixes.
• Visuals: The line drawings are practical, but some readers may wish for more photography, particularly for tasks like venting inspection, FVIR flame arrestor cleaning, or mixing valve installation. The clarity is high; the glamour is intentionally low.

None of these are deal-breakers if your goal is to maintain a conventional tank heater, but they set expectations.

Who gets the most value

• Homeowners with tank-style heaters who plan to stay in their home more than a few years
• DIYers comfortable with basic plumbing tools who want to avoid premature replacement
• Property managers looking for standardized, safe service routines
• Apprentices and handypeople building a foundation in residential hot water systems

If you’re only interested in selection guidance for cutting-edge equipment or advanced controls, consider this a complementary resource rather than your primary text.

Bottom line

Using the workbook, I turned what many treat as a replace-only appliance into something serviceable, efficient, and safer. The procedures are clear, the checklists are practical, and the explanations link each task to a tangible outcome—fewer surprises, better efficiency, longer tank life, and reduced scald or leak risk. It won’t make you a tankless whisperer, and it won’t replace local code knowledge or a licensed pro where one is warranted. But for the vast number of homes with conventional tanks, it’s the right tool in the drawer.

Recommendation: I recommend the workbook for anyone responsible for a tank-style residential water heater. It’s actionable, thorough where it matters most, and it helped me complete upgrades and maintenance with confidence. If your home uses tankless or heat pump technology and you need in-depth coverage of those systems, pair this with a more specialized guide.