leave in or keep out water heater plug winterizing?

[al7601]

I tried searching but a simple question. after draining HWH do you replace the plug or leave it open?

Thank you in advance

[rbpru]

I leave mine sitting next to the hole. However there is no reason not to screw it back in.

[Bigbird65]

boosTT wrote:
What's the point of putting it back finger tight?

Drain it (that means remove and reinstall the plug) and be done.

I have the same question as you. A lot of folks advocate putting the plug in finger tight. After winterizing (air compressor method) I always use thread tape on the water heater plug and re-install.

[boosTT]

What's the point of putting it back finger tight?

Drain it (that means remove and reinstall the plug) and be done.

[midnightsadie]

I to put a valve in, and I drain after each trip. mines 8yrs old now and no problems and a short piece of rubber hose extends it out for easy drain.I drain my water tanks to ,that way all water is fresh at the start of a trip.

[Old-Biscuit]

GordonThree wrote:

tn terry t wrote:
I put in a stubby 1/4 turn brass ball valve in the drain of three different rigs, works real slick

How do you keep the rigs from rusting without the anode?

Even if it isn't a Suburban that uses an anode rod (Atwood doesn't)
That drain valve will drain water but leaves scale/crud behind cause it can't flow out that small diameter opening in drain valve



Leave drain plug out UNTIL done winterizing so you can check if any anti-freeze got in water heater due to bad check valve or valving error

THEN put it back in to protect WH Tank threads and keep critters out

[GordonThree]

tn terry t wrote:
I put in a stubby 1/4 turn brass ball valve in the drain of three different rigs, works real slick

How do you keep the rigs from rusting without the anode?

[tn_terry_t]

I put in a stubby 1/4 turn brass ball valve in the drain of three different rigs, works real slick

[GordonThree]

I leave mine out, I lay it inside the heater and close up the access door. World hasn't ended yet, and no "things" have made a nest inside the heater.

[korbe]

And to remind me in the spring that the plug is not tight I put a little flagging at the access latch door.

[enblethen]

Inspect the plug for rounded corners. If corners are rounded order a new one
Put back in loosely!

[gbopp]

budwich wrote:
once it has been drained, put the plug back in (finger tight) to prevent "things" from crawling in.... also prevents losing said plug.

x2. I put the plug in finger tight.

[DutchmenSport]

Put it back in finger tight. If you don't, the threads on the plug and the threads on the water heater hole will rust up, making it very difficult to re-insert in the Spring.

[Artum_Snowbird]

I usually put mine in one turn, but not tight. Same as hot and cold drains, and fresh water tank drain. Sewage dump is checked to be sure pink has reached both black and grey valves.

[janstey58]

I put mine back in, I don't want small critters making a winter home in there.

[budwich]

once it has been drained, put the plug back in (finger tight) to prevent "things" from crawling in.... also prevents losing said plug.