Hello,
You can buy a replacement relief valve at any hardware or home improvement store. It's real name is a T&P valve or temperature and pressure relief valve. It always has a 3/4" inlet and outlet. It is a very easy procedure to replace. You will need a bucket, teflon pipe thread tape, and a 3/4" x 6" black iron or galvanized pipe nipple. To start the valve replacement, turn off the shuttoff valve on the cold water line. Then open the handle on the relief valve and drain water into the bucket, that is, unless you have a pvc pipe coming off of it into a drain floor, then just drain it without the bucket. Be careful, the water is hot! When the water level gets below the relief valve, it will stop draining. Then remove the pvc pipe, if applicable, and thread in the 6" pipe nipple to use as a leverage tool to remove the valve from the water tank. Turn it counter clockwise to remove. Then put teflon tape on the new valve, going from left to right with the valve threads facing downward. Wrap about 3-4 layers all around the threads. Then twist the new valve into the water tank clockwise and using the pipe nipple tighten by hand until very snug and outlet is facing downward, as before. Remove the pipe nipple and install pvc pipe, if applicable. Leave valve handle open and turn on the cold water until the valve starts spitting, then close the relief valve and let it fill up the tank. If you did it correctly, you are now finished! Good luck!
Douglas
Hot water pressure relief valves serve two functions. The first is to remove high-pressure water from the hot water tank. The second function is to act as a high temperature valve to remove water that exceeds a predetermined point for the valve. Both of these relief settings are preset at the valve factory. Many pressure relief valves will come with a metal tag that identifies these release points. If you're attempting to remove the hot water heater pressure relief valve, pay careful attention to ensure that you replace with the correct valve.
Your hot water heater has a pressure relief valve safety mechanism. When pressure inside the water tank exceeds certain limitations, the valve opens up to allow the pressure to be released. A faulty pressure relief valve will not release excess pressure, which could cause extensive damage to your home. You should test the hot water heater pressure relief valve once every six months to ensure proper operation. If the pressure relief valve fails the test, replace the valve with a new one immediately
Locate the pressure relief valve on your hot water heater. The pressure relief valve has a lever handle on top with a drain pipe attached to it. The pressure relief valve is most often on the side of the water tank toward the top. Newer models of hot water heaters have the pressure relief valve on top of the water tank.
Inspect the area around the pressure relief valve for signs of leaking water. If there is leaking water near the relief valve connection, replace the relief valve. If no leaking is evident, proceed with testing the pressure valve.
Examine the area below the pressure relief valve drain pipe. Most water heater closets either have a drain in the floor below the pipe or the pipe is inserted into another pipe to direct the water out of the home. If the end of your drain pipe is not in another pipe or there is no drain in the floor, place a bucket under the drain pipe to catch water when you test the pressure relief valve.
Pull the lever handle on the top of the pressure relief valve up with your fingers. A working lever will lift up without difficulty.You should begin to hear water going through the drain pipe. Slowly release the lever to shut off the pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve is good. If you did not hear water running through the drain pipe, lower the lever on the pressure relief valve and replace the valve. If the lever is difficult to raise, do not force the lever. Replace the pressure relief valve.
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