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Water heat ball valve for quicker flushes and also corro-protec annod rod

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jgg765
jgg765 Member Posts: 4

First question:

I am buying a RG140T6N Bradford white water heater. I am looking to put a ball valve at the bottom for quicker flushes. Will this ball valve work

5415AB DZR LF Brass PEX (EVERLOC+®) Ball Valve

https://redwhitevalvecorp.com/product/5415ab-lf-pex-everloc-ball-valve/

Second Question:

What do people think about the corro-protec powered annod rod? Snake oil or does it work.

Thank you.

Comments

  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 3,129
    edited July 21

    That is a ball valve for PEX tubing.

    Replace your current drain valve on the water heater with something like this.

    th.jpg

    th-1.jpg

    OIP.jpg

    There are other configurations like this. This is one very good example. There is an all-in-one version of this too.

    As to the Corro-Protec powered anode rod, it is a very good investment. No snake oil at all.

    In your case, you will need the one that is specific to the Bradford White water heater. There are two types. Be sure to ask for the Bradford White one.

    Larry Weingarten
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 28,075

    Here is an option. It's nice to have the cap. A 3" brass nipple also.

    Screenshot 2026-07-21 at 7.33.13 AM.png
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    Intplm.mattmia2pecmsg
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 3,129
    edited July 21

    @jgg765

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

    And you will still need a brass nipple.

  • Larry Weingarten
    Larry Weingarten Member Posts: 4,185

    Hi, One thing I'd do is use a plastic lined steel nipple between the tank and valve. Usually three inches long works. This reduces galvanic corrosion.

    Yours, Larry

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,825

    I know it is a little more work but if you buy the ball valve, nipple, hose adapter and a hose cap its a lot cheaper than buying a hose end ball valve

    Intplm.
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,902

    and that was all that was available locally, but i really do like the apollo ones with the hose thread and cap all in one assembly. I even used one for a washer hose the last time I had to rework one of those.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,825

    @mattmia2

    Back when I was estimating a ball valve was maybe $6 and they were getting maybe $15 or more for a hose end valves.

    So I would by hose adapters and caps you need a nipple for either valve.

    The guys on the job would complain sometimes like it would take 1/2hour to pick up the hose adapter out of the box and put teflon tape on it and screw into the valve with a cap

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,902

    that depends on how good you are at keeping track of your tools.

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 28,075

    since you are going to the trouble to add a user friendly valve, I would not buy an economy valve

    A brand name full port with stem packing is what you want

    But regardless of the valve , it needs to be used a few times a year at least to prevent sticking.

    At some point the sediment doesn’t flush out without stirring it up somehow or vacuuming it out

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 8,978

    Newer water heaters have engineered some kind of new shape at the bottom that supposedly prevents sediment buildup, do you folks buy it?

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,902

    i remember the curved dip tubes from the 80's. not sure if they have something new they are trying. it would seem thicker steel and more anode would be the real things to work on.

  • Larry Weingarten
    Larry Weingarten Member Posts: 4,185

    Hi, The best tank shape I've seen is in the Marathon heaters. Having the bottom domed down to a drain puts gravity on your side. 👍

    Yours, Larry

    ethicalpaul
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 28,075

    here is the Webstone/ Nibco number. Iwould guess Amazon, Supplyhouse.com, Grainger, etc could ship one. The earlier one was a Home Depot part.

    IMG_1576.jpeg
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 3,129

    Yes, I buy it. Bradford White has that design. With a curved dip tube that offers a swirling action that helps prevent mineral deposits (rice stone) from forming in the tank.

    ethicalpaul
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 28,075

    I think the main cause of tanks filling with deposits is when no water is flowing the minerals settle out and end up at the bottom.

    The hotter the operating temperature to more minerals separate out, think tea kettle.

    I don't see the shape of the tank changing the cause of the sediment build up? Maybe less "storage" space if the bottom is domed up?

    Any tank of that gauge metal, tested to 300 psi will require domed ends, either up or down.

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • jumper
    jumper Member Posts: 2,603

    Cap is more than nice. Even the best valve might not close completely.

    PC7060