How to Replace a Water Heater Pressure Relief Valve?

Steam, if allowed to build pressure, can become a powerful force. A lot of heat and pressure inside hot water tanks can cause the water heater to blast. These blasts are dangerous for the house as well as for the people living in it. A temperature-pressure relief valve is used on water heaters to relieve the pressure. In normal cases, the valve should maintain a pressure level of  150 psi and no water should be discharged from the valve. But, if it fails in either of these, the relief valve surely needs repairing.

Repairing the temperature-pressure relief valve generally means replacing it. Here is a step-by-step method of replacing the temperature-pressure relief valve of your water heater.
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• Start by switching off the main power supply if you have an electric water heater, or turn off the gas and set the lowest temperature setting on the measurement knob, if you have a gas water heater.
• Turn off the water supply by shutting the shut-off valve off.
• Open the valve at the bottom and drain out water to relieve the pressure inside the tank. Drain the tank until the water level is below the valve’s position. This way you will also flush the accumulated minerals and sediment from the water heater tank.
• Unscrew and remove the overflow pipe that is attached to the temperature-pressure relief valve. If it’s been glued or soldered in place, you will have to cut it off.
• With the help of a suitable wrench or an adjustable wrench, loosen the relief valve by turning it in the anti-clockwise direction. Remove the valve slowly.
• Get a new temperature-pressure relief valve of the same size.
• Wrap enough Teflon tape around the threads of the new valve. 
• Install this new valve in the same position by screwing it in the clockwise direction and tighten it with a wrench.
• Reattach the overflow or drain pipe by wrapping Teflon tape on its threads. If you had cut off the pipe while removing the relief valve, install a new one.
• Turn the cold water supply and gas or electricity on, and refill the water heater tank.
• Leave any one faucet open until all the air is out of the line and water starts flowing out. Check for leaks around the newly installed temperature-pressure relief valve.
• In case of any leakage, tighten the new valve using a wrench.

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Though the entire process of replacing a temperature-pressure relief valve is an easy task, you might need help from a professional for various other tasks. Hot Water Tanks Edmonton provide professionals that are skilled in all the water heater related issues. So, it is better to consult a person with an in-depth knowledge and experience before experimenting anything on your water heater.