(11-05-2019, 12:48 AM)blackhat Wrote: Replace it. Get the parts, shut it down, flush and then drain it. Make sure the heater is off. Replace valve, refill with a hot faucet open to vent the air and turn back on.
Follow-on steps...
Bow to the plumbing gods and beg for leniency before you start and after you think you've finished. This will accomplish nothing, but may make you believe you tried.
Fill the gas tank in your car.
Withdraw some extra cash from your bank.
Be sure your homeowners insurance is up to date.
Complete required multiple follow-on trips to the plumbing parts store for additional parts as follows:
On the first trip, be sure to inquire about new water heaters while you're there, just for giggles.
On the 2nd trip for parts, order new water heater, just in case, even though you don't think you will need it. Be glad you scoped it out on the last trip
On the 3rd trip, be glad you ordered water heater on 2nd trip.
Upon returning home with new heater, advise wife to look up numbers for two different plumbers, even though you think you don't need one at all.
Remember, you're acting like a plumber. Be sure to flaunt your plumber's crack.
During installation, it's quite likely you will inadvertently do something that will void warranty and make it such heater cannot be returned.
When you fire it up and it doesn't work, it's probably because of something done in the last step. Hopefully you have alternate use for now useless heater.
Now it's time to call plumber #1. Be glad you had the number handy.
As plumber #1 finishes up and you ask about inspections, you will likely get the "deer in the headlights" look. Inspections? What inspections? Don't have permit. Don't need no stinking inspections.
You can now take some comfort that you validated your homeowner's insurance as you return home from a long day at work and find the basement now resembles a swimming pool.
Call the 2nd plumber. Be glad you had the number handy.
Of course, just kidding. Follow Blackhat's advice.