A person is repairing a water heater by removing the protective cap from the inlet fitting on the water inlet valve, inserting the tubing into the fitting, hand tightening the compression nut, using a wrench to tighten the nut one additional turn, opening the shut-off valve, checking for leakage, tightening the compression nut in small increments until the leakage stops, allowing the access panel to fit around the new water inlet valve and tubing, and detaching the designated section of cardboard along the perforations.