Plumbing

How To Test Your Temperature And Pressure Relief Valve

THE MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.LANDMARK HOME WARRANTY DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT WITH REGARD TO THIS MATERIAL, AND YOU SHOULD CONDUCT YOUR OWN RESEARCH AND/OR SEEK THE ADVICE OF APPROPRIATELY QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS WITH REGARD TO YOUR SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES BEFORE YOU TAKE ACTION. LANDMARK HOME WARRANTY ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY, FOR YOUR USE OF ANY AND ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.

Make sure to test your temperature and pressure relief valve with this article.
 How Close is Your Water Heater to Becoming a Bomb? to learn how a faulty T&P valve could result in a disastrous explosion from your water heater! If your T&P valve (that is, your Temperature and Pressure relief valve) doesn't work, the pressure inside of your water heater's tank could build up and instead of having the excess water come out the valve, your water heater explodes. Luckily, there's an easy way to tell if your water heater is in danger of bursting. Test to see if your T&P valve is functioning properly using these steps:
1. FIND YOUR TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE
Where you can find your temperature and pressure relief valve on your water heater.

First, Find your T&P valve. The valve is usually on the top or side of the water heater. There is also a drainage pipe connected to the valve. The drainage pipe must be at least 6 inches from the drain that is by most water heaters. This is a code put into place so when, or if, the valve does open, boiling water doesn't spurt out and burn individuals around the heater.

2. REMOVE THE DRAIN PIPE

Next, take the drain pipe off of the valve. You may need a plumber's wrench for this. Put a bowl or heat safe bucket underneath the pipe.

To begin, remove the drainage pipe on your water heater.

3. LIFT THE TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE LEVER

Gently lift up the T&P valve’s lever, but make sure to not push it all the way up. If you do, it will lock and the water heater will drain. You only want to drain a gentle stream from the tank. You should hear water and air coming from the valve, and see water flowing into the bucket.

Test by lifting t and p valve up.

WHAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE WATER COMING OUT OF THE TANK?

You will need to replace the valve immediately. When there isn't water coming out of the valve, it means that the valve has failed. If there is an excess of pressure inside of your water heater tank, the water and pressure will have no place to go. The pressure will build up until the water heater will burst.  If you have a home warranty, temperature and pressure valves are covered with proper maintenance. Learn what else a home warranty covers by going looking through our home warranty plans section.

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