Ball valves have their advantages, but as you are going to be using it to drain sediment, you might prefer to avoid the slightly higher risk of clogging. If water heaters taken out-of-service each year were laid water heater flushing HERE. maintenance item--like changing the filter in your furnace. He specializes in estimating as well as design and engineering for plumbing systems, and he works for one of New York's largest union plumbing construction companies. the tank doesn't need to be drained completely to install or operate it. (function() { The drain valves presently installed on This thread sealant tape is compatible with hundreds of applications and is easy to use and remove. The tape will never harden or crack, creating a worry-free and leak-free connection. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Before you crimp it on, figure out what else is going on your valve. If you have an electric water heater, turn the breaker off in the electrical panel box. Run the hose from the water heater to a safe location outside or to a nearby floor drain. Gas Weakening plastic can crack and cause a leak. A water heater drain valve holds back many gallons of water and its function is critical in cleaning, servicing, or replacing your water heater. The problem may be solved by removing the rubber nipple and cleaning the balls, or by increasing the water. Sediment is also detrimental to the life of a water heater. How much would it cost to have a plumber replace a ball valve? Another method is to use a tapered threaded insert for plastics. Once the wasters coming out smoothly, close the T&P valve and shut off the faucet. Many stock water heaters have plastic drain valves that can easily fail. Open the valve on the cold water supply line to begin refilling the water heater's tank. When the tank is full, run all of the faucets in the house briefly to expel air from the water lines. is scrapped. })(); Anthony Barnes is the founder of Water Heater Hub and a second-generation plumber by profession. They are also relatively cost-effective. Let the water heater cool down for several hours before proceeding to draining the tank and replacing the drain valve. This cap threads onto the garden hose connection and prevents any accidental dribbles or drips. Value was metal BTW. cost were the two reasons cited. Using Freedom Flow can reduce monthly and We might be able to do something about it. If you can drain the tank. Worn gaskets and seals inside of drain valves can also fail, resulting in dibbles and drips coming from your hot water tank. behind sediment and converts to steam when heated. improve their water heater's energy efficiency. Follow all of the necessary steps for shutting down your water heater before draining the tank. You can now flush the tank if you so choose. Find Out If They Will Cause or Prevent Ice Dams Here! The process works best if you allow the water to cool for 12 to 24 hours, although you can drain sooner if you wear protective. The ball valve replacement price will depend on the job size, conditions, and finish options that you choose. Also, it comes with an easy-to-grip handle for easy installation. { This is a great trick on old steel threaded pipe that has been painted or some liquid sealant has been used. The best and safest way to change your drain valve is when the hot water tank has been emptied. present drain valve is replaced exactly as another drain valve would be and When shopping for a replacement drain valve look for a quality brass valve that is lead-free and full port in design. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Another, less clear choice is whether to get a ball valve or a standard. water heaters are for replacement of failed units and the majority of units You can turn OFF the power to your electric water heater at the circuit breaker in your homes electrical panel. It looks like you're using an ad blocker. There are actually a couple choices to make when getting a replacement drain valve. You will want to place some towels under the valve to absorb the leak and wear protective clothing and gloves to avoid getting burned by the hot water. Otherwise, order a new valve online so youll have it ready for the weekend or whatever day you choose to replace the valve. Composite (glass-filled nylon) valves do not deplete the system anode like brass valves so. Done! The problem may be solved by removing the rubber nipple and cleaning the balls, or by increasing the water. Take the old heater valve, and cut off the base using a hacksaw. You may need to relight your pilot as per the instructions on your hot water tank or follow our guide here. This will prevent the Teflon tape from unravelling when you thread the drain valve into the hot water tank. The last new H20 heater I installed, I tried to remove the drain valve (Rheem) and replace it will a Ball valve for better cleaning. Its made of reinforced plastic for durability. Without a properly functioning drain valve, you run the risk of damaging your water heater or your home. Its lead compliant and designed for MHT outlet connections. Remove the drain valve from the tank by turning it counterclockwise with a large adjustable wrench, pipe wrench, or channel-lock pliers. For a gate valve, turn the valve clockwise to close. Start off by shutting down your water heater. Connect a garden hose to the water heater's drain valve, and run the hose to a nearby floor drain or outdoors. We will show you what a drain valve is, what to look for when buying a replacement valve, and how to properly change your old water heater drain valve. Remember this water could be hot so make sure you stand back from the end of the hose. Be cautious while draining the tank, as the water may still be quite hot. Take the old heater valve, and cut off the base using a hacksaw. Regularly flushing your water heater will keep that new drain flowing and prevent future drain valve clogs. Prepare the new drain valve for installation by coating the threads in thread sealant or several wraps of Teflon tape. To have a plumber replace a ball valve typically costs $175 to $250. Whenever we install a new water heater we include a new ball valve in the quote, or its included in the price. Why a Water Heater Leaks from the Overflow Pipe (Explained), Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Advertise. Installation instruction sheet only $94.99 plus sh. Its 2.5 inches long and features a 3/4 inch NPT and a 3/4-inch male hose thread. long-range costs. Gently unscrew the defective valve, being careful to avoid getting splashed by any leaking hot water. Drain valves made of plastic can become brittle over time. This step is a great idea for any threaded water fitting, as the tape creates a tighter seal. Like all water valves, the drain valve on your water heater can wear out and leak. Leak from nut on polyB main supply line how to fix? We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. water heaters actually impede sediment removal with their small, often angled Just make sure the ball valve is made for water heaters. forms: { water heaters are sold in the US. same valve on its top-of-the-line models. Read NH's full article on Now you need to turn the cold water supply back on to refill the tank. However, I recommend brass valves, as they last the longest and can handle much higher temperatures than a composite or plastic drain valve. After that, please insert the new drain valve in the hole and use a wrench to tighten it. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { Need a hand? Gas control valve replacement is fairly simple on most water heater models. First, wrap the thread with Teflon tape. If you can drain the tank. quote; because I have been replacing at least one 6-7 year-old Bradford White (out of warranty of course) every week. features 2 virgin Teflon seats, three viton rings in the stem and is There is simply too much water inside the tank. Additionally, be careful when you drain your hot water tank, as the water will be hot and could scald you. fail due to sediment buildup. If you can drain the tank. Aaron's articles about plumbing on The Spruce span four years. Ball valves are either fully open or fully closed, with nothing in between. Replace the new valve and tighten it with your wrench. Dont try to drain your water heater with the power turned ON. The bothersome noise is For electric heaters, turn the breaker in the panel box back to the on position. When I install a recirc line to a water heater, I pull the drain and replace with a new nipple and ball valve. If your water heater drain is leaking or wont let you clean the tank, its time to replace the drain valve. economical solution though. Turn on the power to an electric heater, or turn the pilot knob to ON for a gas heater. Finally, dispose of the old valve and allow the tank to do its job. Once water exits the hot water tap, close the tap. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. regular basis AND save you money! Open the COLD water inlet valve to the water heater. Its a good idea to have a few rags or a towel to soak up any remaining water that dibbles out once you completely remove the valve. Allow your water heater a few hours to heat back up. Gutter Guards: Are They Bad in Winter? Camco 11523 3/4 Plastic Water Heater Drain Valve with 2-1/2 Shank If you prefer plastic drain valves, you should consider this option. to this improved design--the volume of water heaters sold for replacement and You must log in or register to reply here. They are fearful for two Most consumers have no knowledge of how to easily remove this sediment and You could cause serious damage to the heating elements. Note, however, that this method should not be used when your problem is the drain valve leaking, as the risk of burns would be much higher. If necessary, relight the pilot following the manufacturer's directions. Richard Epstein is a licensed master plumber with over 40 years experience in residential and commercial plumbing. must be made to comply with improved building codes. We will show you how to use this piece of plumbing ingenuity! } Full port ball valve with a large opening to allow faster draining and fewer clogs. If there is no sign of leakage, allow the tank to continue filling. You can turn on a nearby hot water faucet to check the flow. The drain valve holds back all the water in the tank so, for obvious reasons, you must drain the tank completely before removing the old valve. There should be a valve on the line near the top of the heater tank. Prepare the new valve by wrapping some Teflon tape around the threads. With the water heater drained, youll need to remove the old drain valve. This may be a time to call a professional for help. You can purchase valves in brass, composite, or plastic. But we do not recommend attempting this repair on plastic drain valves. Best water heater drain valves. Freedom Flow Sediment Next, attach a length of garden hose to the water heaters drain valve. That is the first thing I do when I install a new water heater. Water is life. As with the draining, it's important to follow the proper sequence for refilling. Just make sure to use a new valve that matches the old one. As sediment builds up in water heaters, it takes more For a step-by-step guide to drain your water heater, see our article Water Heater Maintenance Tips Gas and Electric Tank Water Heaters. This lime, coupled with minerals native to an This is a brass constructed valve that fits directly into any water heater type. 2) replace the check valve with a manual valve. This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the state of california to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Drain valves are readily available in hardware stores and online shops. This brass drain valve fits both Rheem and Rudd heaters perfectly. Finally, remove the remaining pieces with a small screwdriver or needle-nose pliers. You need to drain your water heater first if at all possible. HMMMM, value? Depending on the size of the water heater, it could take up to 30 minutes to drain fully. If the drain valve fails, all the water stored in your hot water tank could potentially damage your home. It may not happen right away, but it will make its way around eventually. The one question you ask before you hire a plumber is, how much is this going to cost? It can handle a maximum working pressure of 120. callback: cb House Mods HMP010 Brass 3/4\ MIP Water Heater Replacement Drain Valve This heavy-duty brass ball valve comes with an enlarged octagon nut for easy installation. Be careful not to damage the threading on the port. While you can repair similar valves, such as garden spigots, it's not a good idea to attempt a repair on a water heater drain valve; if the repair isn't successful, you'll have a water leak that can reduce your heater's efficiency and cause damage to your home. To learn more about replacing your water heater drain valve, read on. The handle is quite large, so ensure you have enough room for installation. The air and water will spurt loudly, so it's best to do this now and not be surprised by it later. reasons: water in their home and a power source. Here are some of the best replacement options on the market today: Installation instruction sheet only $94.99 plus sh. The process works best if you allow the water to cool for 12 to 24 hours, although you can drain sooner if you wear protective clothing to avoid splashes. Do not worry about breaking the "liner". Now you can take a flat head screwdriver and open the drain valve. There is a simple, To turn the valve off, turn the valve perpendicular to the supply pipe. take as much as 31% longer to heat water in a tank with several inches of The answer, thankfully, is YES. If installing a plastic drain valve, make sure you dont overtighten the connections. hot water that a water heater can supply in one hour when the unit is new) is Turn the handle perpendicular to the pipe for a gate valve to turn the valve off. local water conditions, some water heaters can collect up to one to two openings. The rapid unnecessary replacement of U.S. water heaters ultimately harms the Many However, you can try to slightly tighten the existing drain valve to stop the leak. Also, a full port ball valve is going to have a large diameter opening that will allow for fast draining and the ability to flush out large debris. Water heater manufacturers have been reluctant to change their drain valves Be careful to cut it off as square as possible and then to file or grind off all rough burrs and edges. Camco 11513 Water Heater Drain Valve (Brass) Another great product from Camco. Now its time to fill your hot water tank back up with water. Provided you have everything prepared, the replacement itself is very quick and thus easy enough to accomplish. For every water heater brand you can find many good honest plumbers who will swear by it as the best. Show activity on this post. If you notice a drip, tighten the drain valve a little more with an adjustable wrench. This means it can fit directly into any water heater. Whoosh! sediment build-up. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Replacing your water heaters drain valve is the most reliable repair to fix a leaking valve. Tankless Water Heater Maintenance: How To Guide & Tips, Why Water Heater Leaking From Top & How to Fix It, Rheem vs. AO SMith: Which Water Heater Is Better, Why Water Heater Leaking From Bottom & What To Do, What Size Tankless Water Heater Should You Buy: Sizing For Your Family Needs, Seismic Straps on Water Heater: State Plumbing Codes Explained, Ideal Water Heater Temperature Settings: Tank & Tankless. Brass valves remain the best option for water heaters. An additional quarter or half turn is all it usually takes. Aaron Stickley is a licensed plumber with 15 years of experience in commercial, new residential plumbing, and residential service and repair. Open the temperature and pressure relief valve (T&P valve) on the side or top of the tank by flipping the lever to the open position. If the water does not drain the drain valve may be clogged with sediment. Open the T&P valve and shut off the cold water intake valve when youre ready to begin. I started HomeInspectionInsider.com to help people better understand the home inspection process and answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance. Consumers can now view sediment removal as a simple, energy-saving home Check the new drain valve immediately for leaks, and check again periodically for the next day or so, just to make sure there are no problems with the valve. Supplied courtesy When water flows out of the faucet, the tank is full, and you can close the faucet. You can buy valves through online appliance part dealers (using your water heater's model number), or simply take the old valve into a local home center or plumbing supplier to find an exact replacement. with various parts put together--you don't know the quality of those parts Turn the power supply back ON at the circuit breaker for electric tanks and turn ON the gas supply for gas-powered water heaters. Once sediment is removed, the first-hour rating (the amount of Disconnect the hose from the drain valve. If the drain valve breaks, youll need to remove the remnants of the drain valve from the drain valve port. It is important to hold the water heater in place while applying torque to the connectors or you could cause additional damages. to get rid of the sediment in your water heater; keep the sediment out on a When sediment deteriorates the lining, the water heater leaks and If the drain valve is clogged with sediment, stick a screwdriver into the hole and try to break up the sediment. I've been conducting home inspections for 17 years. Apply a light coat of pipe dope if desired. Installation instruction sheet only $94.99 plus sh. and effortlessly removes sediment. Let the tank drain completely, then close the T&P valve by flipping down its lever and letting it snap back to the closed position. AND reduce energy costs.
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