So, let’s make sure we check that T&P valve, shall we? Keep in mind that these instructions are designed to help the do-it-yourself homeowner take care of their own water heater. However, if you read the following instructions and feel like this might be a bigger job than you want to take on, call a plumber you trust to help.

However, there are signs you can look for before your water heater turns into a bomb. In your home, the Pressure Relief Valve, or PRV, is designed to regulate internal pressure in your plumbing. When the T&P valve on your water heater isn’t working, that extra pressure is sent throughout the house. Therefore, all of the pipes and appliances in your house will expand and contract with the pressure, including the water heater tank. An expanding and contracting tank can crack the glass liners inside, which means the tank is now compromised, which can lead to failure. So, you can troubleshoot for a problematic T&P valve if you have leaking fixtures or experience a lot of pressure in your appliances connected to the plumbing system in your home. The good news is that when you turn on a faucet, this relieves system pressure; however, this is also why most water heater failures happen when people are out of town. No one is turning on faucets to relieve tank pressure.

Complete these 4 steps FIRST before performing ANY maintenance on your water heater to avoid the risk of water damage, scalding burns, electrocution, or explosion:

The T&P valve is designed to open and release pressure inside the tank if the temperature or pressure inside gets too high. If your T&P valve is either always leaking or, if you test it and no hot water comes out, you should replace the valve immediately.

Mineral or salt buildups, rust, corrosion, or mechanical equipment failure can cause T&P valves to malfunction. A failed or malfunctioning T&P valve can lead to quite a mess and in some extreme cases, can lead to catastrophic damage.

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Think about it this way: if the T&P valve is designed to release pressure in the water heater but doesn’t do its job, internal pressure will continue to build and build until the water heater actually explodes. While very rare, water heaters have been known to rocket through the roofs of houses, leaving 50 gallons of boiling hot water and steam in their wakes. What a mess!