How to Replace A Bad Drain Valve On A Water Heater

Replacing a bad drain valve on a water heater due to either it is leaking or when you went to drain it, it broke.
If you have a floor drain near buy you could temporarily divert the water to the floor drain until you can fix it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Crescent wrench
• 12' pipe wrench
• Teflon tape

1. Step 1: Try to put a cap on the valve before you tear into the heater. This could be a remedy for a long time until you can afford to fix it or replace the water heater.
   Check with local state & city building department to insure you do not have to pull a permit, if you proceed further.

2. 
    
   Gas valve

   Step 2: Turn the gas valve and the control box to the pilot off.

3. 
    
   Brass water valve

   Step 3: Turn the water valve off. (see picture. Many homes will not have a valve to shut the water off so easily. You may have to turn the water off in the crawl space or in the basement. If this all fails than you'll have to turn the water off near the side walk where the city reads your meter in the pit. Turn all the water faucets on to drain the water faster and open the drain valve if you can.

4. *Step four: Try your crescent wrench first and see if you can unscrew the drain valve counterclockwise to loosen. If the crescent slips than use your pipe wrench, sometimes the bigger the better. Be gentle and take the valve out slowly to insure there is not a build up of pressure and you get hurt or all wet.

5. 
    
   Boiler drain valve

   Step 5: When you take your old valve to the hardware store insure you get a valve similar to the one you got out if you can.
   If your able to find the exact valve you can replace it with a nipple and a brass boiler drain valve. (See picture)
   Install the new one, add Teflon to the threads and thread in clockwise to tighten.

6. Step 6: Turn the water back on and slowly start turning the faucets back off. Insure you have no more left in the lines and then turn your gas on and relight the pilot.

Tips & Warnings

• Try spraying the valve with WD-40 or breaker loose, to loosen up the valve before you try to take it out.
• If the drain valve will not come out and you have damaged it beyond repair you will have to purchase a new water heater.
• I have a new book out called "Flush Your Plumbing Troubles Down The Toilet". Check it out on Amazon.com it costs as much as pizza for four. The information you will get will last a life time. Check it out.
• Always thank safety and be careful when re-lighting gas water heaters.