Hello, my sisters dogs chewed the drain valve(plastic) on her water heater so I went to replace it. I haven't been able to find a replacement plastic drain valve. I got the old one off, and tried to use a garden hose shut off valve with a cap on the end. It would have worked, but the male threaded pipe coming from the heater is tapered so I can't make a good seal to the rubber bushing. I think I have two options: re-thread the pipe coming from heater(last resort), or remove the pipe and replace with a brass drain valve(optimal).

Question is: can I just unscrew the pipe from the water heater without breaking anything? Can anyone help me?

Thank you, Jason

Question is: can I just unscrew the pipe from the water heater without breaking anything? Go to to a plumbing store and purchase a half inch brass boiler drain and a roll of Teflon tape.
Shut the power and wateroff to the heater and open up the closest hot water faucet to prevent airlock. If you can connect a hose on the opened ball the drain drain the heater. Unscrew the old boiler drain and Teflon tape the threads are the new one. Let the new water drain in the tank and turn the water back on. When the water runs out of the faucet you left open close the faucet and turn the power back on. Good luck, Tom