Water Heater Check Valve

[Whiskey_River]

I have the one valve system to winterize. Getting antifreeze in the hot water tank & need to change the check valve or backflow preventer at the top of the tank where the hot water comes out.
Has anyone removed or replaced theirs?
I tried to remove it with a 6" crescent wrench and it would not move.
Is this normal and I just need a 10" / 12" wrench for more leverage, don't want to tear up the tank just to install a 5 dollar valve.

[Retired_andLove]

Just replaced mine. Gently used a impact wrench to take it out. Held my breath but it broke loose by just barely pulling the trigger. Why they put brass into aluminum I'll never know. Bought new valve off Ebay for about $8 with free shipping

[Bobbo]

I have one of these in a baggy zip tied to my check valve, just waiting for it to fail.

Flair It 1/2"x1/2" Shutoff

[powderman426]

Just do yourself a favor and put in a second shutoff valve. Problem solved permanently. Thats what the cheap SOB's should have done in the first place.

[JEBar]

there is a socket type special tool that is designed to remove a RV water heater pressure valve .... kind of expensive for a single use but sure can save a whole lot of cussin'

Jim

[ktmrfs]

I've used an internal pipe wrench socket to remove those buggers if I can't get pipe wrench on them. Tightens up inside when you turn it and it should remove the nipple.

[Goostoff]

You just answered my question. Thank you. I went to winterize yesterday and noticed there was only one valve on the tank. WTF!!!! I had no idea there was a check valve in the tank. I was holding my breath that nothing came out the bottom of the drain.

[Old-Biscuit]

Those nipples can be a real bugger to break loose......

Do you have enough room on Hot output line to install a shutoff valve?

If so just remove the internals of that nipple and install the valve.

1 valve system with the added shutoff valve on Hot line