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Only_True_Mosno's avatar
Only_True_Mosno
Explorer
Sep 25, 2016

Water Heater Drain Valves..are they worth it?

So I was thinkng of replacing the plastic nut that you remove to drain your hot water heater with one of the brass drain valves by Camco. After reading reviews on Amazon I now am wondering if it is actually worth it?

Comments were that it just trickles out and takes forever to drain it? Also a number of comments about them leaking constantly.

So should I just stick with loosening the plastic nut or go for the drain valve?

29 Replies

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  • katysdad's avatar
    katysdad
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2016
    wing_zealot wrote:
    katysdad wrote:
    Don't put anything but a nylon plug in a Atwood water heater. Dissimilar metals will freeze in the aluminum tank fitting.
    How long does it take for that to happen? Because I've had mine for 12 years and had no issues.


    Most likely people that let them sit extended periods without removing the plug.
  • wing_zealot's avatar
    wing_zealot
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2016
    katysdad wrote:
    Don't put anything but a nylon plug in a Atwood water heater. Dissimilar metals will freeze in the aluminum tank fitting.
    How long does it take for that to happen? Because I've had mine for 12 years and had no issues.
  • katysdad's avatar
    katysdad
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2016
    RinconVTR wrote:
    katysdad wrote:
    Don't put anything but a nylon plug in a Atwood water heater. Dissimilar metals will freeze in the aluminum tank fitting.


    Using teflon tape or sealant creates barrier, I've never had an issue.


    Seen too many come in the shop with brass or iron in the tank and corrosion ruined the threads in the tank fitting even with some type of tape or pipe thread sealer.
  • RinconVTR's avatar
    RinconVTR
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2016
    katysdad wrote:
    Don't put anything but a nylon plug in a Atwood water heater. Dissimilar metals will freeze in the aluminum tank fitting.


    Using teflon tape or sealant creates barrier, I've never had an issue.
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer III
    Sep 26, 2016
    katysdad wrote:
    Don't put anything but a nylon plug in a Atwood water heater. Dissimilar metals will freeze in the aluminum tank fitting.

    CPVC plugs from the hardware store work well too. About 50 cents each...
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer III
    Sep 26, 2016
    The higher flow that comes with removing the drain plug also does a better job of flushing out mineral deposits, etc., than using a drain valve. Unless you need to drain the heater tank frequently, I would stick with removing the drain plug.
  • RinconVTR's avatar
    RinconVTR
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2016
    It takes forever if you dont open at lest one hot water faucet to allow air in as water escapes.

    So yes, I find the $5 valve much easier than removing the plastic plug and resealing it every time I do so. And I drain it many times during the season, basically anytime it will sit for weeks at a time.
  • katysdad's avatar
    katysdad
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2016
    Don't put anything but a nylon plug in a Atwood water heater. Dissimilar metals will freeze in the aluminum tank fitting.
  • sch911's avatar
    sch911
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2016
    How often do you loosen it? Once a year for me, when I winterize.

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