Ethan Clarke
Changing a hot water plastic drain is a simple task that can save you a lot of money. Before starting, ensure you have the right tools, such as a wrench, pipe tape, and a new valve. Next, shut off the water supply and drain the tank. If your drain valve has a removable handle, unscrew it and replace the washer. Then, reassemble the handle and refill the tank. If your handle cannot be removed, or if your valve is made of plastic, you will need to replace the entire valve. Simply turn the handle counterclockwise by hand, four complete revolutions, and then, while pulling on the handle, turn it clockwise for six revolutions to free it from the tank. Finally, attach a garden hose to the drain valve and open the drain with a screwdriver.
Characteristics and Values Table for Changing Plastic Hot Water Drains
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Wrench, pipe wrench, chisel, punch, hacksaw, screwdriver |
| Steps | Shut off and drain the tank, unscrew the plastic drain, check for debris, apply tape to threads, screw coupling and valve, tighten with wrench, refill tank, relight pilot |
| Tips | Use a nipple wrench if the plastic snaps when unscrewing, use brass drain valve, use plumbers tape to create a watertight seal, ensure no debris inside threads, check valve for leaks |
| Considerations | Age of the tank, whether to replace the whole tank, type of plastic used, local regulations for plastic pipes, whether to consult a professional |
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What You'll Learn
Shut off the water supply
To shut off the water supply, start by turning off the main water supply to your house. This will ensure that the tank drains properly. If there is a valve on the cold line, you can simply close this valve to drain the heater, instead of shutting off the entire water supply.
Next, open a hot water faucet to assist with the draining process and prevent air locking. You can also attach a garden hose to the drain valve to help with draining the tank.
Once the tank is drained, you can proceed to unscrew the plastic drain. It is recommended to have some internal/nipple wrenches on hand, as the plastic may snap when you attempt to unscrew it.
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Drain the tank
Draining your water heater tank is a simple DIY task that can greatly extend the lifespan of your water heater. It is recommended that you drain your water heater tank annually to remove any sediment buildup. This sediment is caused by naturally occurring minerals in the water, as well as sand and grit flushed from municipal water lines, and can reduce the efficiency and capacity of your water heater if left unchecked. If your water source is a well or your municipal water has higher-than-normal sediment content, you may need to drain your water heater more frequently.
To begin draining your water heater tank, first turn off the cold water supply valve at the top of the water heater. This valve will be clearly marked and should have a blue handle. Next, turn the thermostat to the "pilot" setting if you have a gas water heater, or shut off the power at the breaker box if you have an electric water heater. It is important to note that electric water heaters must be turned off completely during flushing, as exposed heating elements can burn out quickly if the water level drops below the level of the hot elements.
Now that the water supply to the tank has been shut off, you can begin to drain the tank. Open a hot water tap nearest to the water heater, preferably on the floor above, to alleviate pressure in the system and allow the water to drain more quickly. Then, open the drain valve and allow the water to drain from the tank. Use caution, as the water will be hot. Some models may require a flathead screwdriver to open the drain valve. Once the tank has been drained, briefly turn on the cold water supply to stir up any remaining sediment. Repeat this process until the water runs clear.
If your water heater tank has a significant amount of sediment buildup, the drain valve may become blocked and limit the flow of water. In this case, it is best to call in an expert for assistance. However, with regular maintenance and draining, you can help ensure that your water heater continues to provide clean hot water for many years to come.
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Unscrew the plastic drain
To replace a water heater drain valve, the first step is to shut off and drain the tank. If the drain valve has a removable handle, you can simply unscrew it and replace the washer behind it. However, if the handle cannot be removed, or the drain valve is made of plastic, you will need to replace the entire valve.
To do this, first turn off the cold water supply valve and drain the heater completely. Then, fit a pipe wrench over the base of the drain valve. Turn the valve counterclockwise to unscrew it from the tank. If the valve is plastic, first turn the handle counterclockwise by hand, four complete revolutions. Then, while pulling firmly on the handle, turn the valve handle clockwise six complete turns to free it from the tank.
It is worth noting that plastic drain valves can be difficult to remove. They may require a lot of force to remove, and there is a chance that they will snap or break when you attempt to unscrew them. As such, it is recommended to have some internal/nipple wrenches on hand when attempting to remove a plastic drain valve.
If you are struggling to remove the plastic drain valve, you could try chilling it beforehand, as plastic has a higher coefficient of expansion. You could also try using a crescent wrench, although this may slip around the pretend hex.
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Replace the valve
Before replacing the valve, you must shut off the water supply. If your water heater is electric, shut off power at the main service panel. If it is gas-powered, turn the gas control knob off and close the gas shutoff valve.
Next, drain the water heater. You can do this by attaching a garden hose to the drain valve and opening the drain with a screwdriver. Ensure the hose drains into a nearby floor drain or utility sink. You can speed up the draining process by turning on a hot water faucet in your home to allow air into the system.
Once the heater is drained, use an adjustable wrench to remove the old drain valve. Be gentle to avoid damaging the water heater. If the valve has a removable handle, unscrew it and replace the washer before reassembling the handle. If the handle cannot be removed, or the valve is made of plastic, replace the entire valve. To do this, fit the wrench over the base of the valve and turn it counterclockwise to unscrew it from the tank.
Now, you can insert the new valve. Apply pipe tape to the threads of the new valve, insert it into the tank opening, and use the wrench to tighten it.
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Reassemble and check for leaks
Once you have successfully removed the old plastic drain valve, you can begin the reassembly process. If you have purchased a new plastic valve, ensure it is of good quality and made from a plastic with better heat resistance, such as polypropylene. If your new valve is made from metal, you will need to apply pipe tape to the threaded end of the nipple on the water heater tank. Screw the coupling and valve onto the nipple and tighten as much as possible by hand. Finish tightening the coupling with a pipe wrench.
If you are reusing a plastic valve, ensure there is no debris inside the threads. You may also want to apply plumber's tape to create a watertight seal. Once the valve is in place, reassemble the handle and refill the tank.
To check for leaks, observe the valve as you refill the tank. If you notice any dripping or leaking, you may need to apply more pipe dope or plumber's tape. It is also possible that the threads are cross-threaded, so check that they are not damaged. If the tank is old, it may be time to replace it.
If you are experiencing leaks from the plastic gasket on top of the heater, you may need to replace the entire valve. This may be due to an old tank that has accumulated lime and caused a clogged valve.
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Frequently asked questions
If your hot water drain is leaking, it may be time to change it. Plastic drains are more prone to leaking than metallic ones.
First, shut off and drain the tank. Then, use a wrench to carefully unscrew the plastic drain. You may need to use some force, but be careful not to break the plastic.
You can replace your plastic drain with a metal one, which is less prone to leaking. Alternatively, you can replace it with a higher-grade plastic drain or one made from materials such as bronze or stainless steel.
Apply pipe tape to the threaded end of the nipple on the water heater tank. Screw the coupling and valve onto the nipple and tighten it as much as possible by hand. Finish tightening with a pipe wrench.
