How to Replace a Hot Water Heater Spigot

Occasionally washers break down or crud gets stuck in a valve and the spigot on the water heater starts to leak. At that point, it's time to replace the spigot. You can spend more time and money trying to fix the leak than just changing out the spigot. The project itself is not too difficult, but its time consuming because you have to drain the heater and then refill it. This task can be done by one person.

Things You'll Need

• New spigot
• Garden hose
• Pipe wrench
• Pipe sealing compound (pipe dope)

Instructions

1. Turn off the power or fuel to your water heater. You may want to tape the switch in the "off" position, if using electric, so no one turns it back on while you're working on it.

2. Connect a garden hose to the spigot and run it outside to a place that will not be harmed by very hot water. Make sure no children or animals are around the hose while the water is draining, or they could get scalded.

3. Shut off the water supply to the heater. If the heater or home is very old and the heater does not have a shut-off valve at the inlet, shut off the water supply to the entire house.

4. Open the hot water faucets in the house to relieve the pressure and allow the water to drain faster. Open the drain valve and allow the water heater to drain completely. You may need to place some rags or old towels under the spigot to catch the leaking water.

5. Unscrew the hose from the spigot and then unscrew the old spigot and discard. Most of the time you can unscrew the spigots by hand, using a rag for grip, although sometimes you will need to use a pipe wrench to get it started.

6. Place pipe dope on the threads of the new spigot and screw it into the heater body. Let it set up for a half hour and then close the valve.

7. Turn the water inlet valve back on and allow the heater to fill. This will take a while. Open the pressure relief valve at the top of the heater to allow air to escape. Once water starts to come out of the valve, the tank is full and you can close the pressure relief valve.

8. Close the hot water faucets when you hear the air stop coming out of them. Turn the power supply to the heater back on.