Water heater check valve question

[Lonestar]

For some time now, I have put off changing out the plastic water heater check valve to a brass one. I would appreciate any tips on getting the plastic valve out, hopefully in one piece to prevent having to dig out broken pieces of it from the female tank threads. Past reports indicate it's tough to get out without breaking.

[Country Campers]

I used a pair of channel locks to get a good grip on mine when I replaced with the brass one. I gripped on the hex part. Not using a wrench helped with rounding the hex off and causing more issues.

Brian

[Cate&Rob]

It wouldn't hurt to apply some penetrating spray around the threads, a while before going at the removal process.

Rob

[Lonestar]

I used a pair of channel locks to get a good grip on mine when I replaced with the brass one. I gripped on the hex part. Not using a wrench helped with rounding the hex off and causing more issues.

Brian

It was so tight you think a wrench would have rounded off the hex? Did it come out without breaking?

I wonder if having the tank hot would help (of course with pressure removed).

[TucsonJim]

When I replaced mine, I simply used a wrench on the hex and it unscrewed very easily.

Jim

[Country Campers]

It was so tight you think a wrench would have rounded off the hex? Did it come out without breaking?

I wonder if having the tank hot would help (of course with pressure removed).

I did not think it was too tight, just figured with my luck I would round off the hex and end up using channel locks anyhow so I just started with that. It did screw right out with ease and a wrench would have worked. Came out in one piece.

Brian

[Lonestar]

Thanks for all the input. Guess I was just expecting the worst.

Jerry