Water Heater Drain Plug?

[reubenray]

I drained my WH today for the first time. While putting the plug back in I was concerned about over tightening it. It is either plastic or vinyl. I don't know if it tight enough or not until I put water in it the next trip. Are there any alternatives to this?

[SteveC7010]

I drained my WH today for the first time. While putting the plug back in I was concerned about over tightening it. It is either plastic or vinyl. I don't know if it tight enough or not until I put water in it the next trip. Are there any alternatives to this?

If memory serves, you are in Louisiana. Why did you drain it?

FWIW, if you are going to drain between trips by loosening the plug, then leave it loose so that it leaks when you go to fill it. That will be your reminder to put some new teflon tape on the threads and tighten it up.

[reubenray]

Mainly just to get rid of the stagnate water that has been in there since April. We are taking a trip later on this month and I did not want the water to mess up anything. I also was checking everything where I can blow out everything for the winter after the trip is over.

[fla-gypsy]

I put a little teflon tape on mine and just snug it up

[SteveC7010]

Mainly just to get rid of the stagnate water that has been in there since April. We are taking a trip later on this month and I did not want the water to mess up anything. I also was checking everything where I can blow out everything for the winter after the trip is over.

You could just run the hot water for a couple of minutes and accomplish the same thing without draining the WH tank if it sits for a while between trips.

[reubenray]

I thought about this, but I did not know if the water would stagnate and build up any type of gunk that complete mess up a faucet.

[byrdr1]

Dont over tighten that plug it will crack and you will be looking for something to replace it with to use that HWH in the middle of your trip. And if it cracks and you try to take it out you will have an even harder problem to get the plastic out of the threads that has been left behind once you try to remove the broken plastic plug. replace it with a brass plug while you have it out. I am speaking from experiance.
randy

[SteveC7010]

I thought about this, but I did not know if the water would stagnate and build up any type of gunk that complete mess up a faucet.

It is no different than your water heater at home in that respect.

Again, if you want to refresh the water in the HW tank, just run a hot water faucet for a couple of minutes.

[3P'sInACougar]

Hello. I take out my plug an get a brass ball valve so all I have to do is open the valve an pop off valve to drain my wh between trips. It is quick an easy then no leaks. Also an screw a short piece of hose on so bottom of frame work does not get rusted out from the water laying on it. Hope this helps.

2002 cougar 5er 28.5 ft
2004 1500 Chevy



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[3P'sInACougar]

Sorry I meant also u can screw a short piece of hose onto ball valve so the water does not run down the side of ur trailer. I hope this helps.


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[reubenray]

Does anyone know what size the plug is and what type of threads? Or would it be better to take it to Home Depot or Lowes?

[3P'sInACougar]

Best to take with u but I think it is 3/4 but some are smaller holes to so depends on unit. The threads are pipe threads. Hope this helps.


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[Little Guy]

Mine is 1 1/16th"

[chuck&gail]

Never used tape, never leaked in over 50,000 miles. I replaced the plug every few years. I carried a spare for years, but never used it.

I drain the water heater if not used for several weeks. Failure to do so yields complaints that the water tastes funny from She Who Must Be Obeyed.

[reubenray]

Will a brass plug damage the tank? I have read the following comment several times while doing research on the drain plug. If the brass plug will not work what will work besides another plastic/vinyl one?

"The brass plug will cause galvanic corrosion of your tank"

[SteveC7010]

Will a brass plug damage the tank? I have read the following comment several times while doing research on the drain plug. If the brass plug will not work what will work besides another plastic/vinyl one?

"The brass plug will cause galvanic corrosion of your tank"

Use teflon tape properly and you will be fine. If you aren't familiar with that then just go to lowes and get an extra nylon plug. This really isn't that much of an issue to be worrying as much as has been done here. Nylon or brass with teflon tape. Either is fine.

[reubenray]

Thanks - I have several rolls of teflon tape.

[Brantlaker]

Camco has a replacement plug with a petcock on it like the old radiator drains had. Used one on my TT for 4 years and never had a problem.They come in all sizes and you can use a brass bushing to size it if you have a larger than normal size fitting.

[dakingsella]

I'm confused. :confused: My drain plug is connected to an anode rode. My manual says I should replace the anode rod once a year. I assumed :banghead: this was standard on all water heaters. What am I missing here?

[SteveC7010]

I'm confused. :confused: My drain plug is connected to an anode rode. My manual says I should replace the anode rod once a year. I assumed :banghead: this was standard on all water heaters. What am I missing here?

My drain plug is an anode rod, too. Some water heaters come with just a plug in the drain outlet. Our '99 Sunline was like that. If I remember right, it was an Atwood heater.

I would recommend following the manufacturer's instructions on anode rod replacement. (I'll have to remember to pick one up in the spring, too.)

[webslave]

I'm confused. :confused: My drain plug is connected to an anode rode. My manual says I should replace the anode rod once a year. I assumed :banghead: this was standard on all water heaters. What am I missing here?

IIRC, Suburbans have the anode rod/plug combo. Atwoods use just the nylon plug. As for replacing the anode annually...it only needs to be replaced when the rod's steel core is showing, or it gets down to about 1/4" diameter (usually at the plug end). Replacing annually is a waste of money...the last rod I replaced was 9 years old before I had to replace it and we camp a lot :) The last trailer we had, I never did replace the rod, we only had the trailer for 4 years before trading up to the 5er.

[dakingsella]

Well, I went out today to buy my winterizing supplies (pink stuff, new water filter and aw, yes a new anode for the water heater. Oh well, if I don't need to replace it I will add it to my RV supplies in the basement and will have it when I do need it.

Thanks for the explanation of why mine has an anode.

Happy camping!

[Bushman512000]

The rod is a invention to help keep dissimular metals from attacking and breaking down each other witch will rot out the HWtank.The rod about every 3-6years is cheep in that the cost of HWtanks are about $300.or more..So rerod or let the fat lady sing ....lol...Bushman:D:D:D