Install Instructions

TECHNICAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT
Technical Service Bulletin
1-800-432-8373
How to Replace a Drain Valve
Technical Competence, Product Confidence
Page 1 of 1
1229.DOC
CAUTION: Draining your water heater for this procedure may put you at risk of being scalded by hot water.
Please be careful when working on your water heater.
1. Turn the power OFF to the water heater at the circuit breaker (electric heater) or main gas line (gas heater).
2. Fasten a length of garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the heater. Put the other end of the garden hose
in the nearest floor drain or snake it outside the home.
3. Close the shut off valve at the cold water inlet line.
4. Open the temperature and pressure relief valve at the top of the heater. Now open the drain valve and allow the
water to drain. You will probably notice some small white particles (called scale or sediment) during the early
stages of the flow.
CAUTION: THE WATER WILL BE HOT...........BE SURE NO ONE IS NEAR THE DRAIN HOSE OR THEY
COULD BE SCALDED.
5. When the water stops, close the drain valve and remove the hose. Leave the temperature and pressure relief valve
at the top of the heater open for the time being.
6. Remove the old drain valve with a wrench. You may get some additional water draining from the spud. Have
some rags handy. Replace with a new drain valve. It is a 3/4 inch National Pipe Thread (NPT) drain valve. You
may find one at any plumbing house or home store. Use pipe sealer or Teflon tape to seal the threads. Make sure the
new drain valve is in the closed position.
7. Open a hot water faucet somewhere in the home. Open the shut off valve at the cold water inlet line. You will
hear the heater start to fill.
8. When you have a steady stream of water from the temperature and pressure valve tube, close the valve; when
you have a steady stream of water from the hot water faucet, turn the faucet off.
9. Turn the power ON to the water heater at the circuit breaker (electric heater) or main gas line (gas heater; relight
pilot if required). Allow the water heater to recover. Check the drain valve one more time to make sure it is tight.
Use a new ¾ inch N.P.T drain valve
Seal threads with Teflon tape of pipe sealer