Cool the water down first by shutting off the power to the hot water tank. If you have an electrical water tank, turn off the breaker. On the other hand, if it is a gas hot water tank, turn the valve to pilot or off. Then, run the hot water from a faucet in the sink or tub until the water has cooled to a lukewarm temperature.

T&p meaningBusiness

Turn the power or gas back on and give the water heater time to heat up. See if the TPR valve holds. If not, it may need replacing.

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If you are having issues with the water heater, the TPR valve, or the reset button, contact a professional for help. A water heater can be dangerous to mess with if you are not trained on how to fix it. There are a lot of safety issues with a water heater and often the maintenance should be left to a professional.

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A gas water heater is expected to last about 8-12 years, while an electric water heater is 10-17 years. Now, this doesn’t mean they will last this long but maintenance sure will help!

Water heaters are usually maintenance-free and we don’t think much about them unless we see a leak or the water is not heating up in the shower. However, the TPR valve should be checked annually and this will help with the left expectancy.

The valve is located on the top or side of the water heater so if you don’t have one, the water heater can blow up. This is because there is no way for the pressure to get out. The valve is essential to keep the water heater from exploding!

T&Pitems

T&p meaningmedical

What is a TPR valve? Well, it is a valve that will release water if the pressure or temperature exceeds safe levels. Let’s take a look at why it is important to know what the TPR valve is, the importance of it connected to a discharge pipe, what happens if a TPR malfunctions, maintenance, TPR data plate, and other issues and maintenance of a water heater.

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When we buy a home, we don’t think about how fancy the water heater may be or that it is an important appliance. However, it really is! Hot water heaters and boilers have a Temperature Pressure Relief Valve or TPR valve (sometimes called a T&P valve) that is for safety. It is an important part of these appliances.

T&Pvalve

Sometimes the water heater may stop working because the water heater reset button is malfunctioning. This can be due to:

This is located beneath the lever and will tell you the pressure at which a TPR will activate. The pressure should not be higher than what is on the plate. If your water heater is missing this plate, you need to have one added.

Maybe the valve is venting when there is no pressure build-up. Before throwing in the towel to replace it, try to open it up a few times to blow off some of the water. By doing this you may be able to wash out any sediment that is causing the issue.

T&p meaningplumbing

Put a bucket under the valve. This will catch the water when the pressure is released. You will need to lift up the valve to open it. Open it for a few seconds and then close it.

A TPR valve is a safety mechanism on a water heater. As mentioned above, when the water exceeds a safe level over 150 psi for pressure or the temperature is over 210 degrees Fahrenheit, the valve will open. The water will be released out of the discharge pipe.

A professional can look at the issues you are having and recommend if you need to replace the valve. If you need to replace a TPR valve, here is a video that tells you how to do that. However, we always recommend hiring a professional.

Water heaters are an essential part of our home and provide the hot and cold water we bathe in and drink. It is important to make sure it is working correctly. We will check the water heater while conducting your home inspection in the greater Atlanta area! Think you need help with the maintenance of the water heater or a repair? Leave us a comment below!

Since you have to turn off the circuit breaker for the power, while you are at the electric panel, make sure you don’t have an FPE Panel or have a circuit breaker that isn’t working. If you find either of these, contact a professional for assistance for replacing.