Water heater check valve

routemaster wrote:
Could I blip the trigger on my impact wrench to undo the check valve on the water heater cant move it with a wrench?

Have you tried a rust buster first, like PB blaster? Or a longer wrench.

I've used my 18v impact to take mine off before, never to put it back on though.

If you have the room to do an impact, I'd rather see you use a 6 point socket and a cheater on a break over bar. I'd be afraid the impact of fracturing the tank and causing a leak. Just sayin' rockin'

rockintom wrote:
If you have the room to do an impact, I'd rather see you use a 6 point socket and a cheater on a break over bar. I'd be afraid the impact of fracturing the tank and causing a leak. Just sayin' rockin'

I have to respectfully disagree and I suggest using the impact rather than a cheater bar. The reason is the wrench with a bar will create a lot of rotational force on the heater. Using the impact doesn't make as much strain on the mount and entire assembly of the WH.
I've actually done it both ways and that has been my observation.

try tightening it first. it may break loose for you

I'm assuming you are talking about the relief valve? Not sure how you'd get a socket on that to use an impact wrench. It helps to do it when the tank is hot (fill it with water, run the heater, drain it, and take it out while the unit is still hot). I would not try heating it with a torch as getting it too hot might fracture the tank lining.

ScottG wrote:

rockintom wrote:
If you have the room to do an impact, I'd rather see you use a 6 point socket and a cheater on a break over bar. I'd be afraid the impact of fracturing the tank and causing a leak. Just sayin' rockin'

I have to respectfully disagree and I suggest using the impact rather than a cheater bar. The reason is the wrench with a bar will create a lot of rotational force on the heater. Using the impact doesn't make as much strain on the mount and entire assembly of the WH.
I've actually done it both ways and that has been my observation.

I agree. that was my thoughts too, even though I have not had a need to remove our water heater check valve...........yet.