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Replacing a gas valve on a water heater will take a professional plumber between 1 and 1½ hours. However, they may require extra time to diagnose the problem with your water heater, particularly since so many of the surrounding parts work together. Speak with your plumber before the job to confirm the pre-hour price and the approximate length of the job.

Call 811 to locate and mark the gas lines at least three days before digging. In many areas, you can dig within 18 inches of the lines, though in some locations, the distance may be further. Check local regulations, as you may need a utility company representative onsite when digging. Document your calls to 811 and precautions taken to avoid gas lines. A homeowner can be held liable for hitting a gas line in some cases, but contacting the proper authorities and following all guidelines can offer protection.

You can and should vent the gas from your hot water heater to the outside of your home. Traditionally, these gases were vented back to other gas appliances, like stoves or furnaces, but many jurisdictions have outlawed this practice due to the risks it provides. 

Most water heaters today use atmospheric venting that exhausts the gas out of the home through a pipe.

The easiest way to empty a propane tank is to simply use it until no propane remains. If you’re short on time and need a faster solution, transfer the propane to another tank instead. Wear leather gloves to protect your hands, then connect the hoses from both propane tanks and seal them tightly. Turn the knob to open the supply tank valve on the full tank and let it run until the pressure pushes all the propane into the other tank. When all propane is transferred, remove the hose and seal each tank.