WATER HEATER PLUG

I went to CW and got the last 2 plugs they had, (and boy are they proud of them). I would have bought more because I actually broke 2 off lol. I have 2 TT's. One is a 95 jayco and the other is a 2000 jayco. Both plugs were original so I cant complain too much.

If it's plastic, you have an Attwood water heater and it's a 1/2 NPT. You should always carry a couple of spares.

John&Joey wrote:

wolfe10 wrote:
Use an Atwood drain plug-- from any RV store.

And the best "extraction" tool for a broken plug is the square lawn sprinkler head extraction tool from any box store.

X2 on both parts.

Atwood plugs are meant to take the heat. 2 for $5. Three wraps of Teflon tape and you'll be good to go.

There is no need to use Teflon tape with the correct nylon plug. The nylon will make the seal adding Teflon tape to the mix will encourage the plug to go deeper than it needs to be or should.

I simply put the plug in with no sealant starting it by hand, once I can no longer turn it by hand I switch to a socket wrench.

I only will turn the plug not much more than a 1/2 to 3/4 turn past hand tight.

Then add water pressure.

If the plug seeps or drips I turn off the pressure and allow the system to depressure.

I then will try tightening a slight bit more and try again.

If you do this you will not ever need to use Teflon and you should never break a plug off.

Another concern with the use of Teflon tape.. It will leave shreds of it in the thread grooves which can be difficult to fully clean out. Leaving the Teflon shreds in the grooves can cause leaks the next time the plug is installed (causing you to twist the plug in even further!). Not to mention those shreds CAN be pushed into the tank and eventually end up fouling your faucet valves and faucets.

Of course in the short term , use what type of plug you can find to put
the water heater back in service and find the proper type at your convenience

1. They get damaged because people use a 12 point socket or just use pliers to try and remove
2. On Atwood, ALWAYS USE THE PLASTIC PLUG. If you use any type metal plug, it will "gaul" to the aluminum tank threads and then be almost impossible to remove. Doug

wolfe10 wrote:
Use an Atwood drain plug-- from any RV store.

And the best "extraction" tool for a broken plug is the square lawn sprinkler head extraction tool from any box store.

X2 on both parts.

Atwood plugs are meant to take the heat. 2 for $5. Three wraps of Teflon tape and you'll be good to go.

To get it out drill small holes on either side of the plug and use a needle nose pliers to twist it out.

enblethen wrote:
it is 1/2 inch pipe thread.
Get the hollowed out nylon for the Atwood water heater.
Yes, you could us a white plastic one from hardware store as a temporary.

Correct on size (1/2" NPT) and that Atwood are nylon

Don't use a PVC plug....not rated high enough for the temperature

Could use a CPVC plug....but temp rating is at operating temp of water heater.

Best to use the OEM Nylon as designed

This riser extractor works very good.
Extractor

old guy wrote:
you can heat the blade of a screw driver and shove it into the broken piece and screw it right out.

Not really sure that a screwdriver will get enough ump to remove a stuck plug and if it is a OEM style plug it is hollow inside. It would take a huge screw driver in order to grab the sides..

The right tool is a pipe nipple extractor which is designed for extracting broken pipes..

HERE

Notice that it is NOT the same thing as a a "easy out" which are designed for extracting bolts which tend to break off leaving you with a bigger mess..