[kennykenny]

I was draining the sediment from my hot water heater. I have the slotted screw valve to turn on/off(Pic). To drain, I turned the screw counter clockwise valve on the valve to turn on the water. All was going good. When I turned the screw clockwise to shut off the water flow I assumed that that screw would turn tight to shut off the water. When I got to a certain point of turning the screw, the water shut off but as I continued to turn farther clockwise to tighten the screw, the water flow started once again. I turned the screw a bit counter clockwise to get the water flow to stop. Is this the way that the valve should work to shut off the water or should the valve be tight? Does the valve need to be replaced? If replacement is necessary, what are the steps needed for me to replace this?

Another question, I was going to check the anode rod on the same heater. From all that I have viewed, "typically" there is a bolt on the top of the heater that can be unscrewed to remove to check the rod. Of course on my heater it is different. I have attached pics of the top of my heater. Can I check the rod on it still? Is it the same but with just a bit more work to it? Thanks for all of the advice.

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

its a ball valve on the drain, thats normal, rod could be attached to hot water side, dont waste your time checking the rod, better off cleaning sediment off the bottom for longer life of heater.

 

[kennykenny]

its a ball valve on the drain, thats normal, rod could be attached to hot water side, dont waste your time checking the rod, better off cleaning sediment off the bottom for longer life of heater.

Just to make sure that I understand, the valve is ok the way that it is? It doesn't tighten?

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

Just to make sure that I understand, the valve is ok the way that it is? It doesn't tighten?

correct, it will spin either direction in circles...

 

[Ghostmaker]

Your anode rod is attached to the hot water outlet. If the tank is not that old I would not mess with it. They are usually good for 6 years.

 

[kennykenny]

Your anode rod is attached to the hot water outlet. If the tank is not that old I would not mess with it. They are usually good for 6 years.

The water heater is 5 years old. I am good with waiting as you suggest. Just curious, how do you remove the rod in another year to see if replacement is necessary? I see that the rod is attached to hot water said as stated. I also see that the hot water outlet has the female thread with the male side on the top of the anode rod. Do you just unscrew the hot water outlet from the rod and thenscrew out the rod from the heater somehow turning the threads to remove from the heater?

 

[djlandkpl]

The water heater is 5 years old. I am good with waiting as you suggest. Just curious, how do you remove the rod in another year to see if replacement is necessary? I see that the rod is attached to hot water said as stated. I also see that the hot water outlet has the female thread with the male side on the top of the anode rod. Do you just unscrew the hot water outlet from the rod and thenscrew out the rod from the heater somehow turning the threads to remove from the heater?

That's the general idea. You have to cut the copper pipe before you start unscrewing or you'll twist the PEX line. Once the copper line is removed, use a pipe wrench to pull out the rod. Have a new one ready as it's such a pain to remove you might as well replace it. To put it back together, you'll need a coupler or union to replace the cut.

 

[kennykenny]

That's the general idea. You have to cut the copper pipe before you start unscrewing or you'll twist the PEX line. Once the copper line is removed, use a pipe wrench to pull out the rod. Have a new one ready as it's such a pain to remove you might as well replace it. To put it back together, you'll need a coupler or union to replace the cut.

I was afraid that you were going to say that it was necessary to cut the copper pipe. As mentioned with the coupler or union, are these items that need to be soldered back on or are there types, like shark bites that don't need soldering?

 

[djlandkpl]

If there's some play in the pec you could use a sharkbite coupler.