How do I release pressure valve in H2O heater?
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Topic: How do I release pressure valve in H2O heater?
Posted By: BluRdgMtnGirl
Subject: How do I release pressure valve in H2O heater?
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2015 at 10:21pm
I was a little late reading a previous thread about releasing the pressure valve on the water heater before removing the anode rod. Ouch! That rod propelled itself about 15 feet while I was unscrewing it, but not before grazing my hand and slicing through several layers of skin. There really should be a warning somewhere on the water heater. I'm just glad my face wasn't anywhere near the rod when it blew. Anyhow, I know better now. I need to release the pressure valve but WHERE EXACTLY IS IT AND HOW DO I DO IT??? I'm new to all of this. I just got my rpod 179 about a week ago, and the only thing I know about plumbing and heating is how to flush a toilet and set the thermostat on my home furnace.  So please be very specific with your reply. Do not assume I know anything. lol Although I AM learning so much by reading this forum. I've spent hours on here educating myself. It is a wealth of information!!! I'm so glad I found it, and thanks to everyone for sharing their vast knowledge. The owners manual that came with my rpod was a joke!  Now back to that pressure valve...Donna
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Replies:
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2015 at 10:55pm
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First make sure the electricity and propane are off. There are a couple of things you can do to relieve the pressure in the WH. You can simply turn off the pump or disconnect the  city water and then turn on the hot water in the kitchen sink until it quits running. The other thing you can do is lift the little lever on the thing on the outside of the water heater, on the same face of the WH that the anode is on. This thing looks sort of like the anode but, from memory, sticks out a little more, has an outlet on it, and a little spring-loaded lever that you can lift manually, easily. This is the pressure relief valve, that's main job is to relieve the pressure on the WH automatically if the pressure gets too high. As I said, you can also work it manually. It's meant to prevent your water heater from blowing up if something fails and the propane or electricity fails to turn off when it should and the water in the WH starts to boil. (Ka-boom!) It's always a good idea to lift that lever before working on the WH, but you need to do all of the other steps too anyway. Turn off the pump and open the hot (and cold) faucets at the sink and leave them open. After that the pressure relief valve is just an added safety feature that you don't have to use. Glad you're okay. Some lessons are more expensive than others! TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2015 at 11:39pm
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Physics from High School -- cold water expands when heated. If the HWH is filled with cold water and then heated, it has to expand somewhere. I have had the exploding water plug zip by my head. Just a lapse in memory but it could have been fatal. Release the pressure with the handle on the plug. then take out the anode. |
Posted By: BluRdgMtnGirl
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 9:55pm
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Thank you TT & John! I located the pressure valve & lever. My hand is healing nicely. I appreciate all the good info! Donna
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 9:04am
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Easiest just to open a hot water faucet in a sink. If removing the anode it also helps to open the hot and cold water low point drains and let the trailer piping fully drain. A lot less water gushing out of the heater in you face.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |