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    mendesoto's Avatar
    mendesoto Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jun 15, 2009, 01:44 PM
    Hot Water Heater Leaky Drain Valve
    The Drain Valve on my Hot Water Heater is Leaking rather badly. Is there anything I can do to correct this short of replacing the Hot Water Heater. This Hot Water Heater is approximately 8 to 10 years old. Thanks
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #2

    Jun 15, 2009, 03:59 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by mendesoto View Post
    The Drain Valve on my Hot Water Heater is Leaking rather badly. Is there anything I can do to correct this short of replacing the Hot Water Heater. This Hot Water Heater is approximately 8 to 10 years old. Thanks
    Shut the power and water off and drain the heater. Purchase a 1/2" boiler drain( see image) and some Teflon Tape. Wrap the threads in Te4flon Tape and replace nthe valve. Good luck, Tom
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    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
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    #3

    Jun 15, 2009, 04:03 PM

    I assume it is leaking from the spout of the hose bib... Go to Home Depot and buy 7/8" plug. Screw it on onto the spigot and that will stop it from leaking...

    Water heaters have lousy drain valves. They are either plastic or this flimsy brass valve. Both are cheap valves. Once you open them you will have hard time closing them. You apply little pressure and you break it.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #4

    Jun 16, 2009, 06:46 AM
    QUOTE]I assume it is leaking from the spout of the hose bib... Go to Home Depot and buy 7/8" plug. Screw it on onto the spigot and that will stop it from leaking... [/QUOTE]
    Milo, I'm curious. 7/8ths plug? Would this be a plastic sil cock cap? (see image) Or are you suggesting removing the boiler drain and plugging the drain hole? Inquiring minds want to know! Cheers, Tom
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    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
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    #5

    Jun 16, 2009, 07:49 AM

    Tom, yes, it is the plug you plug the spigot itself with. Sorry about not making it clear...

    Of course, removing existing bib is also an option - but it can get very messy. ( Believe it or not, I've learnt to swap a bad valve with new one without draining heater - but I would never recommend this approach to an inexperienced Home Owner :-D )
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
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    #6

    Jun 16, 2009, 08:25 AM

    Tom's fix has served me well a few times. Cheap and easy, just like me.
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