Signs The Pressure Relief Valve Is Bad On Your Water Heater And How A Plumber Can Fix The Problem
A water heater has the potential to be dangerous if the pressure in the tank gets too high. That's why heaters have a pressure relief valve on the side. The valve opens to release pressure along with some water when the temperature in the tank gets too hot and drives up the pressure. If the valve breaks, it should be replaced for safety reasons. Here are a few signs of a faulty pressure relief valve and the steps a plumber takes to replace it.
Signs The Pressure Relief Valve Is Malfunctioning
When the valve opens, water drains out the tube below the valve. If you keep seeing water on the floor near your water heater, have a plumber check the pressure relief valve. The valve could be stuck open because a piece of sediment is caught inside it.
On the other hand, the valve may be draining frequently because there is a problem with your water heater that causes the water to get too hot. In that case, the plumber has to identify the problem and make repairs to other parts besides the relief valve.
Another sign the relief valve is faulty is when it gets stuck closed. If the valve won't open and the pressure gets too high, your water heater might start making screeching noises. A screeching noise is a sign you should call a plumber. A tank with a pressure that's too high might crack or in some cases, it could even explode.
Steps Involved In Replacing The Relief Valve
If something is wrong with the relief valve, the plumber can replace it. Replacing the valve with all new parts ensures your water heater is safe to operate. To begin, the plumber needs to drain water out of the tank until the level falls below the valve so the valve can be removed. The plumber shuts off the water and drains the tank using a hose connected to the drain valve on the bottom of the tank.
Once the water level has dropped, the plumber can unscrew the valve from the side of the tank and pull it out. The entire valve is then replaced with an exact match. First, the plumber may brush the threads on the side of the water tank to get rid of scale and sediment buildup. Then the new valve can be screwed in place.
Once the new valve is in, the water heater is filled with water and the relief valve is tested. Changing out a pressure relief valve is a fairly quick and straightforward type of water heater repair. It's something you don't want to put off since the valve is a safety device that keeps your water heater from building too much pressure.
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