Need gas water heater advise.

[Cammo]

I want to replace my gas water heater before it starts to give me problems in my finished basment. I have the skills to do this job by myself but I'm thinking it may be a job better left to the pro's just to make sure everything is up to code and for warenty and insurance issuses in case they arise. Am I wrong for thinking this way? Can you guys point me in the right direction as to what model heaters I should be looking at? Are the heaters at Home Depot good quality or should I go to a smaller supply company or just deal with a plumber. Thanks.

[William Morris]

Can't speak to the brand question - I got mine at Payless Cashways years ago because I was the full-time plumbing salesperson there - but I can tell you that it's not a terrifically hard job. In my case it was just three connections (four, if you count the tpr drain): gas, hot, cold. Took me a few hours and it's worked like a champ ever since. Hardest part was getting rid of the old heater!

[Stormin Mormon]

I got rid of my old heater yesterday. had two neighborhood teens load it on my trailer, and drove it up the scrap yard. Free drop off, too.

HD has enough money, support your small town plumber. I did my own, cause I don't have enough money.