Patent ID: 8320752

Claim:
A drain tool for an electric water heater having a tank with an outlet formed therein for receiving a replaceable heating element, which outlet is surrounded by a tapping having an outer circumferential surface said tool comprising: an annular molded plastic mounting ring having an inner circumferential surface for peripherally surrounding and gripping the outer circumferential surface of the tapping; and a single elongate molded plastic channel attached unitarily to and extending from a bottom half of said annular mounting ring such that when said mounting ring grips the tapping, said channel is aligned communicably with the outlet and at least a portion of said channel extends in a downward angle from the outlet whereby removing the heating element from the water tank causes water to be discharged from the tank through the outlet and said channel drains such discharged water from the water heater, said channel having a generally U-shaped, semi-annular cross sectional configuration for providing access to the heating element through the tapping and permitting removal and replacement of the heating element through the tapping.