Removing Plastic Drain Valve on Rheem WH for Hydronic

[wallyblackburn]

Trying to get my hydronic heating together in my shop. Got a Rheem Performance power vent 50-gal water heater. Based on what I've read here, I want to have the return water feed into the drain port.

Problem is, the funky looking drain valve on there - I'm not sure this thing is removable. Anybody removed one of these? Can you give me any tips? Does it just unscrew?

 

[mygarageone]

Turn it counter clockwise untill it stops , you should then be able to see the ****** that goes into the tank it/s self.
It used to be you opened it all the way , then pull on it , turn it clockwise and it would take the valve stem out ?

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Make sure to install a check valve someplace close to the heater on the return line.

 

[Chris705]

I vaugly remember reading about installing a ball valve as way to blow off the sediment build up. The article talked about having to cut the plastic valve out of the fitting. They used a hacksaw blade to cut inside what remained of the valve when trying to remove it. The blade is used inside the pipe cutting outward in several locations. Then prying out carefully. Again that was an article I had read. I haven't personally done it.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

All the ones I ever removed just screwed out.

 

[wallyblackburn]

It did screw out, but it wasn't easy. I put a wrench on it and it just rounded off the flats. Finally got it to budge with some BAPs and just kept cranking.

Thanks,
Wally

 

[rburke65]

Ok....i'll bite....what's a BAP?

 

[anthony666]

big *** pliers ??

 

[wallyblackburn]

big *** pliers ??

Yep!

Also: posted pics in the "picts of your radiant..." thread - appreciate any comments...