If your water heater drain valve is worn out or leaking, you don’t necessarily have to drain the entire tank to replace it.
If your home has a water heater, chances are the drain valve is on its last leg. Over time, the valve can become corroded and difficult to open. In some cases, it may even leak.
When this happens, it’s time to replace the drain valve.
Fortunately, this is a relatively easy task that most homeowners can do themselves. The first step is to shut off the power to the water heater.
Next, you’ll need to drain the tank by either attaching a hose to the drain valve or opening up a nearby faucet. Once the tank is empty, you can remove the old drain valve and install a new one in its place.
Be sure to follow all instructions that come with your new valve, and don’t forget to turn the power back on when you’re finished!
With a little bit of effort, you can easily replace a water heater drain valve without having to call in a professional.
REPLACE A GAS CONTROL VALVE WITHOUT DRAINING WATER HEATER (DO AT YOUR OWN RISK) | SERVICE PLUMBING
How Do You Drain a Water Heater Without a Drain Valve?
If your water heater doesn’t have a drain valve, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps to get the job done. First, turn off the power to the unit and close the cold water supply valve. Next, open the hot water faucet in your home and attach a garden hose to the discharge pipe on the back of the water heater.
Finally, open the pressure relief valve on the tank and let all of the water drain out. Be sure to keep an eye on things as you may need to adjust the position of the hose from time to time to ensure that all of the water is draining properly.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Drain Valve on a Hot Water Heater?
If your hot water heater is leaking from the drain valve, you’ll need to replace it. This is a relatively easy repair that anyone can do with a few tools. The cost of the replacement valve will vary depending on the type of valve and the brand.
You can expect to pay anywhere from $15-$50 for the replacement valve.
The first step is to shut off the power to the hot water heater. Next, remove the old drain valve by unscrewing it from the tank.
Be sure to have a bucket handy to catch any water that may drip out when you remove the valve. Once the old valve is removed, clean up any debris or sediment in the threads of the opening so that your new valve will fit snugly.
Now it’s time to install your new drain valve.
Just screw it into place finger-tight, then finish tightening it with a wrench until it’s snug but not overly tight (you don’t want to strip the threads). Reattach any washers or gaskets that came with your new valve, then turn on the power and test your repair by draining some water from the tank.
How Do You Replace a Water Heater Drain Valve?
If your water heater is leaking, or you notice rust-colored water coming from the drain valve, it may be time to replace the drain valve. Fortunately, this is a relatively easy repair that you can do yourself. Here’s how to replace a water heater drain valve:
1. Turn off the power to the water heater. If your water heater is gas-powered, turn off the gas supply at the shutoff valve.
2. Drain the water from the tank by attaching a garden hose to the drain valve and running it to a nearby drainage area.
Open all of the faucets in your home to help empty out the tank faster.
3. Once the tank is empty, remove the old drain valve by unscrewing it with a wrench or pliers. Be careful not to damage the surrounding area as you remove it.
4. Install the new drain valve by screwing it into place hand-tight before tightening it with a wrench or pliers (again, being careful not to damage anything).
Credit: www.water-heater-repair-guide.com
Water Heater Drain Valve Dripping
If your water heater’s drain valve is dripping, it’s likely because the washer inside the valve is worn out. To fix this, simply shut off the water to the heater, remove the drain valve, and replace the washer with a new one. You can buy a replacement washer at most hardware stores.
Once you have replaced the washer, reattach the drain valve and turn on the water. The dripping should stop immediately.
Water Heater Plastic Drain Valve Leaking
Water heater plastic drain valves can leak for a number of reasons. The most common reason is that the valve is not tightened properly. Over time, the valve can become loose and allow water to seep through.
Another reason for a leaking plastic drain valve is that the washer inside the valve may be worn out or damaged. If the washer is damaged, it will no longer provide a tight seal and water will be able to escape. Finally, if the O-ring on the valve is damaged or missing, water will also be able to leak through.
If your plastic drain valve is leaking, you can try tightening it with a wrench. If this does not stop the leak, you will need to replace the washer or O-ring.
Water Heater Drain Valve Types
Are you in need of a new water heater or simply wanting to learn more about the different types available? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Here we will discuss the three most common types of water heaters and their drain valves.
The first type is the electric water heater. These typically have a screw-type valve located at the bottom of the unit. To drain this type of heater, simply unscrew the valve and allow the water to flow out.
Be sure to have a bucket or other container handy to catch any water that may drip from the valve.
The second type is the gas water heater. These usually have a lever-type valve located near the bottom of the unit.
To drain this type of heater, simply push down on the lever and allow the water to flow out. Again, be sure to have a bucket or other container handy to catch any drips.
The third and final type is the tankless (or on-demand) water heater.
As its name implies, this type does not have a tank; instead, it heats water as it’s needed.
Conclusion
If your water heater drain valve is leaking, you can replace it without draining the tank. First, turn off the power to the water heater. Then, remove the retaining nut on the valve using a wrench.
Next, pull out the old valve and insert the new one. Finally, reattach the retaining nut and turn on the power to the water heater.
