Water heater drain

[wworsham]

I want to use 1/2 " Pex, what size do I buy to replace the existing plastic drain plug?

[Swampy]

Originally Posted by wworsham

I want to use 1/2 " Pex, what size do I buy to replace the existing plastic drain plug?

I'll assume you have an Atwood WH since it has a plastic Plug? If so, the plug is 1/2" NPT, so your pex fitting should be the same to screw into the tank. I have a 6 gal. G/E Atwood in my TT and I used PVC, a 1/2" union and a 90 degree elbow with a 1/2" ball valve. I wanted to be able to remove the pipes to flush out the tank every couple of years, without having to cut the pipes to do it. The pvc fittings and a 24" stick of sch-40 pipe cost me about $8.50 at HD.

..... Swampy

[10yearsbehind]

FYI, PVC is NOT rated for hot water. CVPC is rated for hot water. PEX is rated for hot water. Brass, copper, braided steel supply lines, are all rated for hot water.

Will hot water and PVC be a problem? I don’t know but why chance it? That being said, 15 years as a plumber I have not come across a hot water PVC mishap. Because it works, or because people don’t do it...

Make sure your material is rated for the proper temperature and pressure.