Hi there. I'd like to replace the white plastic drain valve on my GE water heater with a brass fixture so I can drain it regularly. Before I replace the valve, I got to drain the tank. I've never used one of these plastic drains before. Every tank I've had has had a metal spigot. This plastic valve has a male end that connects to a standard hose. It has a larger ring nut that rotates the entire male hose connection and then another smaller nut that snugs up against the water heater. Which one do I turn to open up the valve? I'm afraid if I turn that main nut too much, it'll twist that pipe right out of the tank. Thank you! Dan

This is a typical boiler drain,(see image). If yours doesn't look like this one can you furnish a picture? Regards, Tom

Tom,

Sure thing. Here's a pic of my drain valve. I've got the hose attached, but am not sure how to open the valve. Thanks, Dan

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/c...3/DSC01026.jpg

See The Image below

Shut off the water and power to the heater and turn the large nut counterclockwise. Open the nearest hot water faucet as you drain to prevent air lock. Good luck, Tom

Tom & Afaroo,

Thank you for your quick responses! When I turn that nut counter clockwise, it also turns the male fitting (which then twists the hose). When I turn that nut quite a few turns, I start getting LOTS of water coming out of the fitting.

Am I doing something wrong with this? Should I try to "lock" that male fitting before twisting that large nut?

Thanks so much, Dan

Dan,

Hold down to the male fitting while you turn the large nut you will need two wrenches, Thanks.

John

Afaroo, I'm trying, but boy, this one is tight! I don't want to be difficult, thanks for your patience but when you're dealing with these plastic fittings, they're not too forgiving.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/c...DSC01026-1.jpg

When I try and hold down the male fitting (with a crescent wrench on the hose fitting since I can't hold onto the "pipe" itself) and then use a pipe wrench on the larger nut, I'm afraid I'm going to break something. The two pieces don't seem to want to separate. My main concern is a floor full of water if I snap this fitting.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/c...DSC01026-2.jpg

Thanks, Dan

Make sure that the water shut to the water heater and open the nearest faucet,Hold down on the small nut and turn the large nut counter clock wise be easy not to break it, See the image below, good luck.

John

Afaroo, thank you for your help. I'm afraid I'm going to have to call somebody over here (darn $$) to look at this.

The nut you referred to (closest to the tank) doesn't budge when I twist. It's the male pipe fitting (about 2-4") that turns. When I twist that larger plastic nut counter clockwise, it takes the pipe along with it. It's like the two (the large nut and the male pipe) are locked together. Eventually with enough turns it seems to want to take the whole pipe out and the leaking really starts. When I try to hold that male pipe steady (again by locking onto the female hose fitting) and twist the nut, it feels like it literally wants to snap.

Thanks, Dan

Make sure your water supply is completely disconnected from the unit. This creates the air pressure to push the water out of the valve. Also, make sure your drain hose is laying flat... I tried to drain into a bathtub, but there isn't enough pressure to send the water up over the tub wall.

When we install new water heater - and it happens to have plastic drain valve - we automatically replace it with brass one. The plastic valves never worked...