plumbing question...hot water heater piping repair?

Hey, sorry for such an obvious question...but...I am about to slice off some pex plumbing that is leaking at the fitting (which is at the top of the hot water heater and is the hot water line toward the house) and refit it...so, I turn off the electricity. Then...turn off the hot water valves...and open them up in the sinks in the house to clear the water?...hmmm, I just want to make sure that when I cut the pex that there wont be water in the line come a spurting out...do I need to drain the whole hot water heater first? Sorry I an 8 years old (or at least that is what my wife keeps saying to me in a very loud and angry voice). Thanks.

Public Comments

1. turn off the water at the inlet to the tank...open all the sink, shower, valves...and you are good to go
2. it isnt a "hot water heater" if the water was allready hot why would you need to heat it? it is a water heater. just shut the valve going to the tank, if you have a shut off between the leak and the rest of the house shut it off as well
3. Electricity first and last, the element can never be without water when turned on. If the hot water valve is after the leak why would you open the hot faucets, the valve will hold the water. Your focus is the cold water coming in to the heater, shut off the nearest valve[usually the main] on the cold side, drain the heater with the cold faucets open, be absolutely sure that the heater is filled with water when you turn the electric back on, that means bleeding all the air from the entire system. Good work takes time, don't let her pressure you.Good Luck!
4. turn water valves off, and open kitchen or bathrooom faucets, you might have a little water left in pipes but not enough to really matter.
5. Why cut the pex? Why not borrow the crimper and crimp it again? Would be simpler. Tell them your situation and look at the problem up close so you can give accurate info as to why it is leaking and maybe they can make the crimper crimp a little tighter. Would be simpler. However if you did that already and got to go this route.... Turn off the water pressure supply to the tank. That is the cold water that comes into the building from the city. (If you are in an apartment unit, there would be a shut off for your unit.) So non of the taps work(hot or cold) Then drain water below the repair. If the repair is at the 4 foot height, then you want to open taps lower than that(hot and cold). No need to empty the hot water tank cause it needs the city pressure in order to "push out the hot water into your pipes for useage" so it will just sit in there.(a holding tank). When that water is out, the most water will be in the pipe directly above the repair if it happens to be vertical and can't go anywhere. Otherwise you will have to take out some water from the hotwater tank to empty that line as well. A gallon or two should do it for you.