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Quick Drain Solution for Hot Water Heater
This might be helpful to others out there. We have well water and if it sits in the hot water heater for an extended period of time, we get the rotten egg smell when using hot water. So, we need to drain the hot water tank frequently and I was getting tired of unscrewing the nylon plug, then adding teflon tape and reinstalling it.
I have seen a few modifications using different plumbing items but they always seem to have a handle that needs modified or something along those lines. I just wanted a simple and cheap install that was easy to take apart if the need came up. I ended up using shark bite fittings and a small piece of 1/2" pex to get a straight shot that is easily removable if it needs to come apart. Plus, I'm still able to use my water heater cleaning wand once the drain valve and pex comes off. I had to trim the end of the cleaning wand slightly but it still works well.
I started with a 1/2" male sharkbite adapter into the hot water heater. From the adapter, I used a small piece of 1/2" pex into a sharkbite toilet valve. Now, all I have to do is turn the valve and it starts draining. I have roughly $20-$25 in the whole setup from Lowes.
The key to removal if the need were to arise, is in the 1/2" sharkbite removal tongs. This allows me to get in there and squeeze the fittings with the tool and everything pops right out. As far as durability, we have two years and 7,000 miles on this setup with no leaks or any other issues. It's hard to see in the picture, but nothing is coming in contact with the setup. There's enough clearance that nothing is bouncing into anything.
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