Water heater drain valve debris-clearing pressure port

When you drain a water heater, sediment in the tank might clog the drain valve preventing you from fully draining (and properly flushing) the tank.

This device can help with clearing a drain valve that might be plugged by forcing compressed air back into the drain valve, dislodging any blockage and allowing the water to drain freely.

This printed part must be complimented by a normal 2-port hose faucet bib, a standard rubber tire valve stem, and a special tool used when installing tire valve stems. Google "tire valve stem puller tool".

Operationally, connect the 2-port faucet bib to the tank drain valve, connect the drain hose to one port, connect this device (with tire valve stem) to the second port. Connect a source of compressed air (compressor, bicycle pump?) to the tire valve stem. Close the port connected to the hose, then force some air into the valve stem. Open the hose port and check for better water flow. Repeat a few times until the blockage is cleared.

The rubber valve stem needs to be properly seated into the printed part. To install the valve stem into the printed part, I inserted the valve stem into the printed part then attached the valve stem puller tool to the valve stem thread. I then placed that assembly beneath the jaws on my bench vice and pulled the valve stem upward until it seated in the printed part, using the top of the bench vice jaws as a leverage point for the stem puller tool.