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How to troubleshoot and replace TP valve |
 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 |
 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 |
 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 |
  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 |
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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 |
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What to look for:
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 Water heater should be dry at all
timesIs 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 |
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Quick fix for leaking TP:
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 Raise 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. |
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Steady flow of water from TP
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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 |
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
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| 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 |
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| Leaking weld around TP valve | Tank rusted beyond repair:
Replace tank Resources: Leaking water heater How to install gas water heater |
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| 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 | |
 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 valve5) 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 |
 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 |
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Prevent TP problems |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
 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 |
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Heat trap nipples can clog and cause high pressure Nipples can clog and cause hugh pressure and TP release Replace with di-electric nipples  Buy: Dielectric nipples at Amazon Resources Low Hot Water Pressure How to replace short nipple |
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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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Buy
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