Water heater drip?

[Jayco2015JayFLIGHT]

Hello all. Yesterday when my water heater was on I noticed it dripping from the panel on the outside.. open the panel and it was dripping from a white knob that looks like can be twisted on or off. Is this normal function? Or am I leaking? Thanks

[Jagiven]

What water heater do you have? Can you post an image? There are no knobs in a water heater.

The white knob sounds like the nylon drain plug. Could try tightening it. But it probably needs to be removed, and apply some Teflon tape (plumbing tape). The threads on these nylon plugs can damage easily, so you may need to replace it.

[AKRUEBBE]

Mine had a slight leak at the drain plug. Tightened it gently and have had no problems since. Give that a try.

[Jayco2015JayFLIGHT]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

What water heater do you have? Can you post an image? There are no knobs in a water heater.
I believe it's an Atwood.
The white knob sounds like the nylon drain plug. Could try tightening it. But it probably needs to be removed, and apply some Teflon tape (plumbing tape). The threads on these nylon plugs can damage easily, so you may need to replace it.

I tried tightening by hand..didn't move. Maybe I should try plyers. If I remove plug will all the water in the pipes come drawing out?

Uploading pic. U can see the white knob on the left and all the rust underneath it.

[RedHorse1]

That’s the drain plug. Yes, all the water will come out if you remove it and it will be under pressure and HOT!
Looks like it’s been leaking for some time (the rust).
You can try tightening it but I doubt pliers will get a good enough grip, a socket wrench would be better.
If you want to try replacing the plug find a replacement (I found some at Home Depot). Turn the heater off and let it cool, you can speed that up by running the hot water taps. Shut the water off or set the bypass to isolate the heater. Remove the old plug and insert the new. Wrapping the plug with Teflon tape will help get a better seal (also from Home Depot).

[Rustic Eagle]

I tend to lean toward leaving well enough alone (minor drip) until you have a couple spare 'nylon' drain plugs in-hand, then remove/replace the existing one. I'm assuming worst case it's the original 7-year old drain plug.

As mentioned..., Home Depot, Lowes, and RV stores carry these nylon plugs.

Also, if the existing drain plug hasn't been removed in a couple years I'm sure the tank will require a good flushing. While at the RV store the following plastic RV HWH flushing tool would be a good investment:



Bob

[us71na]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

That’s the drain plug.

If you want to try replacing the plug find a replacement (I found some at Home Depot). Turn the heater off and let it cool, you can speed that up by running the hot water taps. Shut the water off or set the bypass to isolate the heater. Remove the old plug and insert the new. Wrapping the plug with Teflon tape will help get a better seal (also from Home Depot).

Do not buy an iron plug. Make sure you buy a plastic plug. Your tank is aluminum and should not have an iron plug. The iron plug will react with the aluminum.

[Jayco2015JayFLIGHT]

Thanks everyone I'll get a new plug n see wat happens. I'll return with results

[Jayco2015JayFLIGHT]

Heys guys. I went to replace the plug today but ordered wrong size. I googled Atwood water heater plug size. Comes up 1/2 inch. Found camco plugs that are half inch. My drain plug is not half inch. It's 15/16... Is this normal??
Now I need to find the 15/16 plugs.

Also is it necessary to flush water heater?

[muckinfuss]

Just because these plugs are nylon, don't be afraid to use a wrap or two of plumber's tape to tighten up the sealing of the plug.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by Jayco2015JayFLIGHT

Heys guys. I went to replace the plug today but ordered wrong size. I googled Atwood water heater plug size. Comes up 1/2 inch. Found camco plugs that are half inch. My drain plug is not half inch. It's 15/16... Is this normal??
Now I need to find the 15/16 plugs.

Also is it necessary to flush water heater?

My TT is in winter storage so I can not look at it to review the plug size. If it is not a 1/2" plug than it is a 3/4" plug. The measurement is based on the thread size not the wrench size. You can remove it, and bring it to your local hardware store and match up the thread size. I am using a PVC plug.

As for the 15/16, that is the wrench size. I can tell you, the wrench size can vary on the type of plug you buy. I think my PVC plug requires an 1 1/8" wrench. The old Nylon plug used a 15/16" wrench.

Is it required to rinse the tank, simple answer is NO, is it a good idea, yes. I do no use a wand. I just open and close the various bypass valves to splash water inside the tank while the low point drain is open.

[Tunce the traveler]

My TT is 12 years old ( owned it for 10 years now) and I installed this brass drain plug adapter using Plumber’s tape and as you can see I’ve never had a problem with corrosion.
My total time of being on the road has been 20 weeks a year minus the last 2years that have been around 3 weeks each

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by Tunce the traveler

My TT is 12 years old ( owned it for 10 years now) and I installed this brass drain plug adapter using Plumber’s tape and as you can see I’ve never had a problem with corrosion.

I spoke to one of the metallurgy at work. He stated as long as it is fresh water we will be fine. Jokingly he said don't put saltwater in the system.

[Tunce the traveler]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

I spoke to one of the metallurgy at work. He stated as long as it is fresh water we will be fine. Jokingly he said don't put saltwater in the system.

To be honest with you 10 years ago I thought “ well if I get 5-6 years out of this heater I should be good “. So I put in the brass one just for the hell of it just to see, we’ll low and behold everything is still working & looks just fine.
Now you just watch,on my first trip out this year it all blows up!

[16WhiteColly]

Brass can be used in aluminum, no problem. Steel can be used in aluminum, but not without antisieze compound.

[Jayco2015JayFLIGHT]

I ended up using the nylon camco 1/2inch id. Thought it was the wrong size bc the head on the old one was so much bigger. But threads were half inch. Put some Teflon tape with new plug. No more drip. Thanks everyone