Trouble removing check valve

[04montana5]

In my attempts to fix a hot water pressure issue I am replacing anode, check valve and rinsing out hot water heater. I have drained the hot water tank and am trying to remove the check valve with no luck. I tried a wrench and a 1” socket ratchet and it will not budge. Anybody have any tips to loosen it up?

[rohrmann]

When I replaced our water heater a number of years ago, i moved the check valve over to the new water heater. It takes a good sized wrench, maybe a real long box end wrench and a lot of muscle to break it free. It will turn, just really tight. Good luck

[04montana5]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

When I replaced our water heater a number of years ago, i moved the check valve over to the new water heater. It takes a good sized wrench, maybe a real long box end wrench and a lot of muscle to break it free. It will turn, just really tight. Good luck

You do turn it to the left to loosen it, correct? Please tell me I’m turning it the correct way haha. It’s not some weird backwards fitting? I went out to get an impact wrench that doesn’t even fit the socket even though they’re both 1/2” fittings. 200 bucks and can’t do anything. Maybe I need to get one of the young guys to give me a hand, I am a little weaker since the carpel tunnel set it.

[Theunz]

A piece of pipe two or three feet long over the handle of your ratchet will apply more torque than a half inch impact. A piece of chain link top rail works nicely and is WAY cheaper than an impact wrench!

[Daryles]

Maybe a little squrt of "Break Free" oil? Let it sit overnight.
Maybe a hair dryer? Get it really hot then try it?
Brut strength and and a long handle?

When putting it back together use plumbers tape or pipe dope.

[182flyer]

Daryles +1

[shovelhead86]

The item you are working on is a pressure relief valve not a check valve. Use teflon tape when replacing with a new valve.

[rohrmann]

Watch this Youtube video: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...LsB_qwk1HY9KFM
This may not be how you can access the back of the water heater. On our rig, a wrench and a long arm are needed to reach the check valve.

[jimcol]

When I had to change mine I used a 2 foot cheater pipe over the ratchet to break it loose. It was a bear but finally broke loose.

[shovelhead86]

Originally Posted by shovelhead86

The item you are working on is a pressure relief valve not a check valve. Use teflon tape when replacing with a new valve.

Sorry I was mistaken on what you were working on.