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How to troubleshoot and replace TP valve
replace anode rod
Inspect anode each 2-5 years
Anode rod prevents tank from rusting
Buy:
Anode rods at Amazon

Resources:
Replace anode rod
How to maintain water heater
Water pressure gauge

Pressure gauge/ attach to water heater drain valve
Pressure over 80 psi can damage water heater and household plumbing
Buy:
Water pressure gauge
Watts telltale Pressure Gauge 276H300
Temperature-pressure gauge
Telltale pressure gauge is left in place for a day, and marks the highest pressure so user can tell if there are pressure spikes that are causing TP valve to leak water, or other possible problems
Resources:
Identify water heater valves
Troubleshoot water pressure
89T thermostat kit
Electric water heater thermostats
Thermostats stick melt and come out of calibration... replace thermostat
Symptoms: Cold water, uneven temperatures, reset tripping, TP releasing water


Resources:
How to replace electric water heater thermostat
Add another thermostat to water heater
How to wire thermostats
Marathon water heater thermostats
Two water heaters
Troubleshoot electric water heater
Icon gas valve   
Gas water heater thermostats
If tank is overheating or not heating correctly, replace thermostat
Symptoms: Cold water, uneven temperatures, TP releasing water

Resources:
How to replace gas water heater thermostat
Add another thermostat to water heater
Troubleshoot gas water heater

TP valve
Buy TP valves:
Replacement TP valves at Amazon
Teflon tape at Amazon

Resources:
Read about TP valve code
Read about TP valves
Read more about TP valves

Symptom Action
What to look for:
TP valve leaking waterWater heater should be dry at all times

Is TP leaking, or water heater leaking?
Use masonite to check if TP valve is releasing water.
Some TP valves flow directly into drain pipe. Turn off all taps and put ear against pipe to hear sound of flowing water.
If TP valve is continuously running out hot water, tank will have less hot water.
Resource:
Leaking water heater
Reasons TP valve releases water: 1) Tank is overheating. Action: Open hot tap, and check for overheated water. Adjust water heater temperature. How to adjust temperature  Bad gas control valve thermostat
2) Bad TP valve. Action: replace TP valve. Open TP valve once per year to test and dislodge obstruction. Clean sediment out of tank. How to clean sediment
3) Factory Heat trap nipples or inserts clogged. Action: remove heat traps Read more
4) Closed system caused by check valve, resulting in frequent TP replacement or constant drizzle. Action: remove check valve or install pressure reducing valve. Install expansion tank. Read more about closed system and expansion tank
5) High pressure. Action: put pressure gauge on water heater drain valve. Anything over 80 psi can damage tank. Install pressure reducing valve. Read more
6) Bad thermostat
Quick fix for leaking TP:
Raise TP leverRaise TP lever for 5 seconds, and gently lower back into place.
Don't snap TP down.
See if obstruction is flushed out
Keep extra TP valve on hand when doing this in event the TP continues leaking
 Caution: Keep Feet away from hot water coming from discharge tube!
Do NOT cap off TP valve Do not cap off TP valve or discharge tube.
Do not plug or obstruct TP valve or discharge tube.
Obstructing TP valve can lead to explosion of water heater tank.
Steady flow of water from TP
Raise TP lever to clear blockage.
Then if problem continues:
Replace TP shown in steps below
If water is unusually hot, then thermostat is bad:
Bad thermostat: Replace Gas thermostat
Bad thermostat: Replace Electric thermostat
Bad electric element: Test elements
Large volume hot water released sporadically Bad thermostat
Malfunctioning thermostat is only cause
High temperature limit is around 210 degrees F
Resources:
Electric: How to replace electric water heater thermostats
Gas: How to replace water heater gas control valve thermostat
Identify/ troubleshoot by type of gas control valve

Weeping TP valve

Tank pressure
Dribbling, intermittent weeping:
Cause:  Foreign material in seat valve: Open valve to clear problem.
Replace TP valve/ steps show below.
Cause: High pressure:
Check pressure with gauge on drain valve as shown below. Max 80 psi.
Install pressure reducing valve and expansion tank.
Reduce tank temperature:  How to adjust temperature
Replace TP shown in steps below
Buy:
Water pressure gauges
Pressure reducing valves
Expansion tank
Resourses
Read about pressure issues
Read about expansion tank
Read about reducing valves
Leaking threads on TP valve Reseal threads with 6 wraps teflon tape
Probably mean tank is rusting: inspect tank each 6 months
Replace anode regularly to prevent rusted tank
Resources:
Replace tank: How to install gas water heater
Reduce pressure using pressure reducing valve. Read more below
Turn down thermostat temperature: How to adjust temperature
Replace anode rod to prevent rusting: Replace anode
Leaking weld around TP valve Tank rusted beyond repair: Replace tank
Resources:
Leaking water heater
How to install gas water heater
TP leaks water when water heater is running Closed system/ high water pressure pressure
Install pressure reducing valve and expansion tank (read more lower on page
Resources:
Read about expansion tanks
Closed system .pdf
Expansion Tank Installation pdf

Replacement steps start here
TP valve with teflon tape
Standard 3/4" pipe thread



6 wraps teflon tape on new valve.
Most new TP already have Teflon tape on threads. More can be added if tank leaks around threads.

Buy TP valves:
Replacement TP valves at Amazon
1/2" TP valve at Amazon
Teflon tape at Amazon
Step-by-step: How to replace TP valve:
1) Turn off water.
2) Open tub spout to release pressure
3) Turn off power to heater
        Electric heater: turn OFF circuit breaker
        Typical Gas heater: rotate knob to vacation setting, or move knob to pilot position
4)  Open bathtub tub spout on Hot side to release pressure
5) Let water cool
Caution: Make sure tank has cooled before removing TP valve
5) Open TP valve to lower water level.
        Or use drain valve on bottom of tank
        Resource:
        If water heater won't drain


6) Unscrew TP valve counterclockwise using 12-14" pipe wrench.
7) Install new valve and make sure threads have white teflon tape.
Teflon tape will seal threads against leak.
8) Connect overflow tube that was attached to old TP valve.
9) Refill tank with water.
Caution: Do not turn water heater ON unless tank is full of water or it can damage tank 
Wait for water to come out of bathtub spout in full stream before turning on water heater.
When bathtub spout is running, then tank is full. Turn off tub spout.
10) Open new TP valve for a moment to let last bit of air out of tank.
11) Turn on water heater.
       Electric: turn on circuit breaker
       Gas: Rotate knob to previous temperature setting
                Resource:
              How to adjust temperature on water heater
water heater overflow tube
Install overflow tube
TP valve: overflow tube CODE:
TP Valve discharge line code
Overflow must pitch downward to allow complete drainage.
Termination must be at least 6 inches of floor.
Discharge water cannot contact live electrical parts or persons
Discharge should not cause potential water damage.
Piping used should be of a type approved for hot water distribution.
Overflow tube must be same diameter as valve discharge connection. Do not downsize pipe into smaller pipe. Overflow tube can have maximum 4 elbows and 30 feet length.
End of overflow tube cannot be threaded.
End of overflow tube cannot be concealed.
Tube cannot be exposed to freezing temperatures.
Tube cannot be lower than top edge of drip pan. Tube must terminate 6" above open drain. TP valve can draw water back into water heater if overflow tube is under water.
Do not cap off TP valve or obstruct overflow tube
Overflow tube cannot have shut off valve installed, or any obstructive valve
TP valve is first line of safety for water heater.
TP valve releases water when pressure or temperature is too high, and prevents possible water heater explosion
Resource:
Read about TP valve code
Prevent TP problems
Expansion tank
Install expansion tank on incoming cold water line to help with constantly drizzling TP when tank temperature must be kept high.
Buy:
Expansion tanks at Amazon
Resources:
Expansion tank installation/ pdf
Closed system and expansion tank pdf
How to increase amount of hot water
Tank pressure Pressure on water lines should not exceed 80 psi.
High pressure can cause:
TP valve leaks
Early tank failure
Plumbing leaks
Shorter life for faucets

Action: Install pressure reducing valve and expansion tank
Check pressure using temporary pressure gauge on water heater drain valve

Buy pressure gages at Amazon
Water pressure gauges
Temperature-pressure gauge

Resource:
Read about checking water pressure
Pressure reducing valve Pressure reducing valve
Install pressure reducing valve when TP fails frequently or when pressure is greater than 80psi. High pressure can damage tank.
Buy:
Pressure reducing valves at Amazon
Pressure regulating valves at Amazon
pressure gauge
Permanent pressure gauge
Install Permanent pressure gauge on cold water line
Pressure over 80 psi can damage tank and shorten life of plumbing fixtures

Buy:
Pressure gages at Amazon
Di-electric nipples
Heat trap nipples can clog and cause high pressure
Nipples can clog and cause hugh pressure and TP release
Replace with di-electric nipples
Heat trap nipples
Buy:
Dielectric nipples at Amazon
Resources
Low Hot Water Pressure
How to replace short nipple
remove water heater nipple
Insulate TP valve Insulate TP valve, but do not cover TP valve with insulation
Add insulation to TP valve to prevent heat loss.
Do not cover TP lever with insulation

Resource:
9 ways to save with water heater


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