Broken water heater plug

Gdetrailer wrote:

rvbikeguy wrote:
While removing the plastic plug to drain my water heater, the head of the old plug broke off, leaving most of the threads in the hole. Does anyone have a suggestion how to remove the old plug stub so I can install a new brass plug? Access is difficult (as seems to be the preferred design with RV water heaters). Thanks.

Pipe nipple extractor is the tool to use.

SEE HERE

Once you have the plug out, do not use a brass plug..

Buy a new set of plastic plugs.. They are cheap and are much more forgiving than brass in this application.. There IS a reason the manufacturer uses these plugs and it is not to be a cheapskate.. It is to protect the tank threads..

Then do not tighten the plugs so tight.. You are over tightening the plug.

I screw in by hand then using a 3/8 ratchet with extension and a socket to fit the plug I just tighten slightly past my hand tight.

Water will not squirt out this way, it may seep a bit but will not squirt or leak much if at all. If it does, just turn off the pressure and SLIGHTLY tighten but don't over do it.

You do not need to screw in the whole way and bury the threads.. The nylon will dis-form and lose it's shape causing it to swell on the INSIDE of the tank (where you DON'T want it to swell). That is what breaks them off when trying to remove the plug.

Pipe threads are tapered, the further in you tighten, the wider the plug gets..

You also do not need any Teflon or pipe dope on these plugs, the nylon will act on its own as a sealant.