Rheem water heater drain valve leaks when closed

Safety first: Turn OFF power or gas and close the cold water supply if replacing the valve.

• Flush debris: Attach a hose, open the drain valve briefly to flush out debris, then close firmly but not excessively tight.
• Cap the outlet: As a temporary fix, install a threaded hose cap on the drain outlet.
• Replace valve: Turn off water, relieve pressure, drain below valve level, remove the old drain valve, and install a new brass drain valve with thread sealant.