Hi,
Attached is a picture of the drain valve on my RuudGlas Pacemaker hot water heater. Over the years, the plastic valve drips when I drained the sediment from the tank, yesterday, I believe the inside is damaged. My neighbor put on plastic hose cap to stop the leaking. I went to Home Depot and bought a brass cap, when I tried to unscrew the plastic one the water gushed out, even though the plastic valve handle was closed. So I am assuming the plastic valve broke somehow on the inside. I would like to try to replace the plastic valve with a ball valve, but my dilemma is that how do I drain the tank now that I can't attach a garden hose to the plastic valve

Thank you very much for your answer,
Mary

P.S. The hot water tank is elevated and before I replace it (which I am not going to do right now because it is not leaking and eveything is working fine. I don't use much hot water and there is just one person in the house, that is why this hot water heater still functions well. Also, I try to flush the sediement almost yearly.

Hi Mary,

Purchase a hose stop valve as shown below. Plastic versions available

Turn off cold water input valve to water heater. Open the hot side of a faucet and let water drain. Close hot side of faucet.
Close water heater drain valve. It may be damaged but I doubt it. Probably just leaking. Remove cap from drain valve. If drain valve is truly damaged you may get a flow of water for a short period. You should be able to catch it in a bucket if you do. It will not be under pressure. It is important that all hot water faucets be closed to prevent having to drain the entire tank. Screw hose stop valve on to drain valve.

The hose stop valve will prevent the drain valve from leaking and you will be able to attach a hose for flushing the water heater.

Thank you very much hkstroud for your expertise and for a simple fix. I am going to tackle this in the morning!

Mary