Empty tank first
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Empty tank first |
How
to replace water heater drain valve
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 Brass hose cap  |
If
drain valve is dripping Buy brass garden hose cap with washer Most local home centers sell plastic cap Install plastic cap and then order brass hose cap for permanent solution. Buy: Brass hose caps at Amazon Hose cap requires rubber washer. Rubber washer will seal tank. Resources:
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 Automatic shut off valve |
Prevent
water damage: Buy automatic shut off valve: Automatic water heater shut off valve |
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| Flush to remove debris |
If
drain valve is leaking, it might have debris caught under washer Use washing machine hose and garden hose to connect outdoor spigot to water heater Open water heater drain valve, Turn on outdoor spigot for a few seconds, and then close water heater drain valve. See if dripping problem is solved. |
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 Plastic drain valve |
Plastic drain valve will probably
break off when removed Use hose cap, and do not replace plastic valve unless valve is cracked Plastic drain valve can break off. Read instructions below how to remove broken drain valve. Repairable: This type drain valve can sometimes be repaired with a washer. However it is easier and less risk to install brass hose cap to stop dripping. Buy: Plastic drain valve with 2-1/2" shank at Amazon Water heater drain valve at Amazon I recommend brass drain valve or ball valve shown lower on this page Resources: How to repair drain valve (lower on this page) Water heater will not drain |
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Avoid
pressure over 80 psi High pressure will cause drain valve to leak, and crack Rainbird P2A or Brady BTG-100 pressure gauge will attach to hose thread Buy pressure gauges at Amazon Water pressure gauges Watts telltale Pressure Gauge 276H300 Pressure reducing valves at Amazon Telltale pressure gauge is left in place for a day, and marks the highest pressure so user can tell if there are pressure spikes that are causing TP valve to leak water, or other possible problems Resources: Low hot water pressure |
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| Replacement steps start here | |||
Turn off power and water |
Steps
for replacing drain valve: 1) Turn off power to water heater: Electric: turn off circuit breaker; Gas: turn knob to 'pilot' setting. 2) Turn off water 3) Open bathtub faucet on Hot side so air can enter tank 4) Drain water heater. |
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If
Water
heater will not drain Connect washing machine hose to water heater. Connect garden hose to washing machine hose. Open water heater drain valve. Turn ON water hose for 15 seconds Repeat if needed. Resource Read more |
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5)
Remove
drain valve with wrench Put wrench on valve and turn counter-clockwise to unscrew |
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If
Plastic drain valve breaks If plastic drain valve breaks when removed, then 'gently' break out broken part using hammer and big screwdriver. |
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If
Plastic drain valve breaks If plastic drain valve breaks when removed, then 'gently' cut down through plastic with fine tooth saw blade Do not cut into threads on tank opening Make 3-4 cuts... Then use hammer and screwdriver Buy: Reciprocating Saw Blades |
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 7/8" hole saw is slightly less than diameter of 3/4" galvanized pipe |
If
Plastic drain valve breaks Use 7/8" hole saw to carefully cut away plastic drain valve. Drain valve is 3/4" pipe thread, 7/8" hole saw is slightly less than OUTSIDE diameter of 3/4" galvanized pipe Be careful: don't cut into threads on water heater. Use propane torch to melt and burn. Use 3/4" galvanized pipe to help re-thread opening. Slow and easy so threads on water heater are not torn up. Buy 7/8" hole saw at Amazon Dewalt 7/8" bi-metal hole saw Holesaws at Amazon |
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 Brass drain valve |
6) BRASS
drain valve Buy: Brass drain valve at Amazon Brass drain valve at Amazon Water heater drain valves at Amazon |
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6)
Buy
BRASS drain valve
Brass drain valve at Amazon Water heater drain valves at Amazon |
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Install
brass drain valve 7) Put teflon tape on new drain valve threads. Apply 3-6 turns of white teflon tape to 3/4" threads. Twist galvanized pipe into water heater first to clean threads so drain valve will install without cross-threading 8) Tighten valve very firmly into tank. Recommended: do not use plastic drain valve. Buy brass water heater drain valve from water heater department at local hardware or home center. Repairable: This type drain valve has replaceable washer, and can be repaired if dripping starts. Buy: Brass drain valve at Amazon Short brass drain valve at Amazon Short plastic drain valve Water heater drain valves at Amazon |
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Buy: Short plastic drain valve Plastic drain valve with 2-1/2" shank at Amazon |
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| Tank must be full of water before power is turned ON |
Fill tank How to fill water heater tank: Tank must be full of water before water heater is turned on. 9) Open water shut off so water eneters tank. Open bathtub faucet on hot side. Re-fill tank with water until water is coming full stream out of bathtub spout with no air. Open TP valve for a moment. This lets out last bit of air inside tank. Turn off bathtub spout. 10) Tank is full of water: Re-light gas water heater -or- Turn on circuit breaker to electric water heater |
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Last step |
Turn
water heater ON Resources: 1) Gas: read instructions located on tank How to light gas water heater How to install gas water heater How to troubleshoot gas water heater 2) Electric: Turn breaker fully off and then on How to install electric water heater How to troubleshoot electric water heater |
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Larger image |
How to repair water heater drain valve Some plastic drain valves can be repaired by replacing washer How to: Open valve handle, drain water heater, put wrench on nut located below knob, rotate nut counterclockwise, replace washer. Or add garden hose cap over end of valve to seal the leak. Note: the valve may be leaking because small piece of sediment is stuck under washer. Connect washing machine hose to drain valve, and then connect garden hose to flush debris out ow way. |
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How to unclog water heater that will not drain Connect washing machine hose to drain valve, and then connect garden hose to flush debris out of way. Resource Read more details |
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Replace Water heater drain valve with 3/4" ball
valve Easier flush and clean out Full open position lets you insert 1/4" copper pipe flushing tool Resources How to clean sediment out of water heater Water heater dip tubes Identify different types water heater valves Also install curved dip tube to help prevent sediment from settling on bottom of tank Buy parts: Dielectric nipples at Amazon< 3/4" ball valve at Amazon Brass ball valve Garden hose to 1/2 pipe Garden hose to 3/4 pipe Plastic funnels at Amazon Use 6 wraps teflon tape on threads |
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Buy plastic tank
rinser Works with ball valve Buy: Tank rinser at Amazon |
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Make a
flush
tool Works with ball valve 36" aluminum tube or plastic tube connects to garden hose. Remove drain valve to insert tool -or- install full-flow ball valve shown above Tube inserts through ball valve opening. Make tool using 3/8" flexible copper pipe Buy: 3/4" Hose barb adapter at Amazon No-rust hose shut off at Amazon Hose adapter to 1/4" compression 3/8" clear hose at hardware Hose clamp at hardware |
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Buy: from
my affiliate links Faucet washer assortment |
| Remove drain valve to install the following: | |
 See larger |
Direct return
line on recirculation system Recirculation line connects to water heater drain port. Add valve so water heater can be drained/flushed periodically Resources: Read more Read about recirculation system and resources |
 Anodes prevent tank from rusting |
Use
3/4" drain valve opening for cold water inlet
Then install 2nd anode rod in cold water port at top of tank Tanks with 2 anode rods can last longer Magnesium is less reactive with water for less odor on water heaters that have odor problems, but magnesium anode does not last as long as aluminum. Powered anodes solve rusting and odor problems, and can be installed on place of aluminum or magnesium hex-head anodes. Resource Read about anode rods Buy: Anode rods at Amazon power anode rods |
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Use
drain valve opening to circulate water through home-made solar tank. Resource How to make passive solar heater |
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Buy Electronic parts Industrial supplies Tools and home improvement Home and garden Hayward pool Pentair pool Southwire electric |
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Buy
Tools DEWALT Black and Decker Stanley SKIL Makita Porter-Cable Bosch Irwin Hand tools Klein hand tools Fluke electrical testing Dremel hobby tools Campbell Hausfeld air powered Tekton automotive Powerbuilt automotive Saws and saw blades |
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Resource: Compare box timers DPDT timers Intermatic Control water heater w/ Z-wave |
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Resource: Intermatic control centers: and parts Digital control centers and parts Tork control centers and parts Subpanels All control centers and parts Enclosures |
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Resource: Programmable timers Countdown timers Off delay timers On delay timers Timer modules Din rail Twin & one-shot Woods Intermatic Tork |
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Recirculation systems |
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