Forum Discussion

Dalo's avatar
Dalo
Explorer III
Sep 12, 2025

Water heater drain plug? Trailer about 21 years old.

Trailer about 21 years old and I have never removed the plastic drain plug on my Atwood water heater.  Do you think if I remove that "nylon" plug and flush out the water heater I will be able to reinstall plug and have no drips??  I just completed a kitchen faucet replacement and luckily had no leaks.

9 Replies

  • I think you have been extremely lucky. There’s an old Navy saying that our rusty ships are held together by paint. Your water heater may be held together by crud. If you decide to flush be ready for a possible full replacement. 

  • I hate to think of the crud built up in your hot water tank after 21 years without flushing the tank.

  • Yes I think you will be able to remove the nylon plug and even more importantly reinstall it. As said put a bit of Teflon tape on the plug to help seal it if needed. Also don't go monkey tight on the plug. I usually install my nylon plug by hand and  then about 1/2 turn more. If it leaks just tighten a bit more. 

  • you can buy brand new ones in most hardware stores that have rv supplies, like three bucks for a pack of two.  

  • I removed all my low point drain plugs and replaced with valves. Much easier to open/close and no tools required. 

      • bid_time's avatar
        bid_time
        Nomad III

        By my way of thinking, it would seem to indirectly indicate you could but a valve on your water heater drain also. But that’s just me.

  • If it drips just put a couple wraps of Teflon thread seal tape on it. Or buy a new one, they’re pretty cheap and readily available.