He bottom element is grounded on my electric water heater. I haven't being able to remove it from heater in order to replace it with a new one.
In the meantime, can I just run it with the upper element?
I was thinking I could just disconnect the power to the bottom element to keep the breaker from tripping. Should I disconnect also the bottom thermostast ?
How should I proceed?

Thank you

Hi Ramon

Did you purchase an ELEMENT WRENCH from your local home depot (or lowes)? If not, I would advise you to shut the power off, drain the heater while you go off to the store and return with the element wrench.

Use the special wrench and remove the element... replace element, wire the element, fill the heater with water, purge the air from the system and then turn power back on.

That is really the only way to do this job!

Mark

With all respect to Mark,

I recently had an element (bottom of course) that just wouldn't come out. Too much corrosion, the element wrench didn't fit precisely enough with my leverage off centered.

After fighting it a while I went automotive parts store and purchased a 1 1/2" six point socket with a 1/2 drive. Cost $7, less than the cost of an element wrench.

With the precise fit of the socket and the 1/2 breaker bar, the element almost came out by its self.

Threw away my element wrench.

Not too good a idea to remove the bottom element and just work off the top one. You'd run out of hot water real fast if you did. Mark offered a better solution. With respect to Harold I've never had a element that my wrench wouldn't fit. Replace the bottom element and if you're still tripping breakers put a Amp-Probe on one leg of the power line. Your reading should be 19 amps. Anything over that replace 5the thermostats. Good luck, Tom

Why can't anyone just answer the dang question? I am doing the same thing for a while until I can replace the lower element. I am guessing that because they make water heaters that only have one element that it will be OK. Sure wish they would have answered instead of nagging.

Hi Lobs Welcome to The Plumbing Page at AMHD.com.
If you have a question or complaint just post it up and We will be glad to answer it. And please! Don't hold back on the criticism. Cheers, Tom

If you don't like this site there is always Yahoo.

If you don't like this site call a plumber to fix your problem, as Tom says if you have a question please posted and we will be glad to help you, Thanks.

John