How-to-replace-water-heater-drain-valve

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2012

How to replace water heater drain valve Instructions for tank-type, gas and electric water heaters.
Garden hose cap	If drain valve is dripping, Buy garden hose cap with washer at hardware or home center. Ace hardware shows brass cap online, most local home centers sell plastic cap Rubber washer will seal tank. Cap may not thread onto plastic drain valve without filing down end of valve.
Plastic drain valve	If drain valve is cracked, then replace drain valve Brass drain valve is easiest to replace. Plastic drain valve can break off. Read instructions below.
Steps start here	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.
	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.
	5) Remove drain valve with wrench. Put wrench on valve and turn counter-clockwise to unscrew.
	If plastic drain valve breaks while being removed, then 'gently' break out broken part using hammer and big screwdriver. Use 7/8" hole saw to carefully cut away plastic drain valve. 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.
Brass drain valve	6) Buy new drain valve at box store in water heater department. Use drain valve made specifically for water heater, and not the boiler drain found in plumbing department. Buy brass replacement when possible. 7) Put teflon tape on new drain valve threads. 8) Tighten valve very firm 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. Water heater drain valve is made for high heat application. 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
Tank must be full of water before power is turned ON	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

Larger image	Some leaking drain valves can be repaired by replacing washer. Open valve handle, 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.
	Replace water heater drain valve with full-flow valve or ball valve for easy flushing Full flow valve will let water heater drain easily without clogging. 3/4" IP (pipe thread) screws into water heater. Garden hose thread on other end. Buy ball valve Also install curved dip tube to help prevent sediment from settling on bottom of tank Clean sediment out of water heater

Remove drain valve to install:
1) Recirculation system
or2) Iindirect water heater systems

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Direct return connects to water heater drain port.
Add valve so water heater can be drained/flushed periodically Read more
Read about recirculation system and resources