I just purchased a house built in 1916. The water heater is located in the basement which is accessed from a trap door in the middle of the kitchen. I want to remodel the kitchen and get rid of the trap door but I need to find a different way to access the water heater for repair or removal. It seems like there was another access way to the basement from the outside, however, it has been cemented over with steps. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to create an additional access to the basement, allowing enough space to remove the water heater when that time comes. Or should seal up the basement and look into installing an electric tankless water heater for the whole house? Do tankless water heaters work well?