Tip on the right tool
Anybody else's have an issue with replacing the hot water tank drain plug. My issue is keep the drain plug started in straight. Simple I know. Lol Perhaps a pair of vice grips would work bette...
Forum Discussion
BurbMan wrote:
I had the same issue, the downward angle of the nylon plug, combined with the size of the hex, made it hard to get a socket on. Using a drill bit that matched the diameter of a coat hanger, I drilled shallow holes in opposite sides of the hex on the nylon plug and bent a piece of the coat hanger to form a D-ring. Insert the ends into the holes and crimp it into shape with pliers. Tip: paint the wire so it doesn't rust.
I don't have an actual pic right now but here is the idea:
With a little teflon tape the plug doesn't need to be very tight to seal properly. Now I can install/remove the plug without tools.
Lantley, my first thought was to install a valve like you did, but there was NO room...this was my plan B.
BurbMan.........
I LIKE it!
Simple yet effective
Like they say "Necessity is the Mother of Invention"
Mind if I 'appropriate' your Idea??
I firmly believe that the majority of issue with folks and the nylon plug is 'over tightening'
Plug & drain hole threads are 1/2" NPT ---Tapered / Self Sealing
Finger tight then just SNUG up---Done
Over-tighten and then HEX Head cracks/breaks off then one has to resort to other means of removal.....hot screw driver/sprinkler removal tool etc.
In mean time scale/crud build up.
Oh well...........
