Intro / Why you need to do this simple upgrade!
If you are like me, it is always nice to find better way to do tasks that are a pain. One huge pain is draining the hot water heater due to the plastic plugs that are hard to get to and strip out very easily. I constantly follow multiple forums and Facebook groups on RVing and saw this genius & CHEAP modification worth its weight in gold.
How to Drain Standard RV Hot Water Heater
Normally I would get out my socket wrench, 3/4″ socket, and plus find your long extension (Lets be real we lose the extensions all the time). I would carefully remove the plug trying not to strip it on accident. Than here comes the water pouring out over the propane parts and down the side of the RV. This is effective but if you are missing one of the tools and tried to use Vice Grips. (Come on don’t say you have not!) You will get the plug out but you will be running to the RV supply to replace it.
Why We Drain Our Hot Water Heater?
Most people drain their heaters once per year before winterizing their campers. This is pretty typical maintenance routine. BUT did you know doing it more often especially if the camper is going to be sitting for 30+ days not in use will make your heater last longer? But again we are back to the pain in the butt plug removal to do this more often. Depending on the water supply or water supplies at different campgrounds, there can be heavy amounts of minerals building up. This buildup destroys the tanks over time. Draining your hot water tank more often will greatly help with this issue!
How to modify your RV Hot Water Heater to Drain Easily:
Isn’t that great? You can just open your hot water tank access door, let the hose hang out, and open the valve. Shortly after your hot water heater is empty, you just twist the valve and close your access door. This fixes multiple issues:
- Having to have multiple tools on hand to remove plug
- Working around propane system parts and accidentally damaging something if your wrench slips
- Having water draining over internal hot water heater parts and down the side of your RV.
- One time fix at very low cost of roughly $20 or $25
What you need to do this modification:
I provided Amazon links below of what I ordered. You can buy at local hardware store easily EXCEPT the 1/2″ male Nylon fitting as apparently it is a “specialty item” that has to be ordered. Honestly It was hard to find this fitting as many times places wanted me to order 100+ units when I only needed one! This option I only had to order 5 for $8 with shipping. Having spares I figured wasn’t horrible idea.
- Material being Nylon is VERY IMPORTANT. DO NOT USE METAL! Your plug is Nylon due to if your hot water tank over pressurizes and your pressure release valve is not working… The plug will crack or blow out to relieve the pressure. SO you want to use Nylon as it holds good pressure and can withstand heat.
I went with a 12″ supply line. You could go with longer but I didn’t want it to be pressing against the hot water heater door being longer. 12″ is the prefect length. You can easily buy at Lowes or Home Depot unlike the above fitting.
I went with a stainless model to ensure longevity. Honestly you can easily get from Lowes or Home Depot or similar hardware store.
How Put It Together
It is very simple but here is the step by step instructions:
- Remove your 1/2″ standard plug from your hot water heater using the above “pain in butt” method to drain it.
- Screw in your 1/2″ to 1/2″ fitting in place of your plug. I also added thread tape to make sure it never leaks due to the pressure.
- Screw on your facet supply line to your 1/2″ fitting using the 1/2″ flared side.
- Add your 3/8″ ball valve to the end of your supply line.
- Now make sure the valve is closed.
- Let your hot water heater refill and double check for leaks! If no leaks you are GOOD TO GO!
ALL DONE!
You have now completed this very cheap and simple modification to your hot water heater. I know highly suggest getting in the habit of draining your hot water heater after trips as it is simple as opening the door and opening a valve. Check out my How-To on De-Winterizing Your Camper as this is a great modification to do while doing that! HAPPY CAMPING!