4 Ways to Get Rid of an Old Water Heater in Denver
Replaced your water heater and now the old 40-gallon tank is sitting in the garage? It weighs 100-150 lbs empty, it’s awkward to move, and it won’t fit in any trash bin. Here are your disposal options.
1. Scrap Metal (Free — May Pay You $5-$15)
Water heaters are mostly steel with copper fittings — both have scrap value. Options:
- Post on Craigslist “Free” as scrap metal — scrapers will pick it up, often same-day
- Drop off at a scrap yard — Denver-area scrap yards pay $5-$15 per water heater depending on current steel prices
- Ask your plumber — Many plumbers take old water heaters as part of the installation and sell them for scrap themselves
Important: The tank must be drained before transport. A full 40-gallon tank weighs 350+ lbs.
2. Retailer Haul-Away (Free With Purchase)
If you bought your new water heater from a major retailer with installation:
- Home Depot — Hauls away old unit with installation service
- Lowe’s — Hauls away old unit with installation
If you bought the unit and hired your own plumber, the retailer won’t come back for the old one.
3. Junk Removal ($99)
We pick up old water heaters — tank or tankless — starting at $99. We handle the carrying, loading, and recycling. If you have other items to remove at the same time (old pipes, insulation, other junk), we take it all in one trip.
Call (303) 324-6014 or book online.
4. Transfer Station ($30-$60)
Haul it yourself to Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site (5500 Quebec St) or Tower Road Transfer Station (9900 Tower Rd, Commerce City). You’ll need a truck and someone to help lift — even empty, a water heater is heavy and awkward.
How to Drain a Water Heater Before Disposal
You must drain the tank before it can be moved. Here’s how:
- Turn off the power — Gas: turn the gas valve to “off.” Electric: flip the breaker.
- Turn off the cold water supply — The shut-off valve is on the cold water line entering the top of the tank.
- Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank.
- Run the hose to a floor drain, sump pit, or out to the yard.
- Open the drain valve and open a hot water faucet upstairs to break the vacuum.
- Wait 20-30 minutes for the tank to drain completely.
- Disconnect the water lines — Use wrenches to disconnect the inlet and outlet pipes.
Safety note: If the water heater was recently running, the water inside is scalding hot (120-140°F). Wait at least 2 hours after turning it off before draining, or use extreme caution.
If your plumber is handling the swap, they’ll drain and disconnect the old unit as part of the job.
Tankless vs. Tank Water Heater Disposal
- Tank water heaters: 100-150 lbs empty, mostly steel. High scrap value. Drain before moving.
- Tankless units: 25-50 lbs, much easier to handle. Less scrap value but still recyclable. Wall-mounted — you’ll need to disconnect gas/electric and water lines.
What About the Old Pipes and Fittings?
If your plumber replaced the water supply lines, expansion tank, or other components, we can take those too. Copper pipes and brass fittings have the highest scrap value — mention them and we’ll make sure they go to recycling.
Don’t Leave It in the Garage
Old water heaters are one of those items that sit in the garage for months because they’re too heavy to deal with. Don’t let it take up space — call (303) 324-6014 or book online and we’ll have it gone today.
