Author Topic: Easy or hard? Replace pressure relief valve on water heater  (Read 2548 times)

Pebs

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 26
Easy or hard? Replace pressure relief valve on water heater
« on: November 09, 2016, 07:45:23 PM »
DH had a conversation with a plumber today who was at the house to give an estimate.  He happened to see the water heater in our garage (not part of today's estimate) and commented on how old it was and needed to be replaced. At the very least, we needed to have a pressure relief valve on it. . .and went on about how it is now code to have a pressure relief valve and if we ever wanted to sell the house, we'd have to do it anyway. . .and it is a real safety hazard to not have one.  He then gave DH a verbal quote of $475.

When DH related this to me, I asked "For a new water heater?"  No, to install a relief valve.  Knowing nothing about it at all, I told DH "That sounds extremely high."  When I got home, I looked it up on YouTube, walked out to the garage, and found that we do have a pressure relief valve.  It is old though, and probably should be tested/replaced.  Looks like the part could be bought at Home Depot for less than $20 and the task itself maybe 10-15 minutes?  Any challenges that we could face just doing this ourselves?

Needless to say, I'm now highly skeptical of the other quoted work. *sigh*  Our usual plumber does fine work for VERY reasonable prices but it can be weeks to months of continual nagging to get him to come out.  That's why DH called this new guy.

sokoloff

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1191
Re: Easy or hard? Replace pressure relief valve on water heater
« Reply #1 on: November 09, 2016, 08:01:02 PM »
I'd do nothing on the water heater. You have a pressure relief valve, the only purpose of which is to prevent the tank from exploding should the thermostat fail and let the heater temperature runaway.

I wouldn't even "test" the one you have as they have a way of leaking when tested if they're old and opened. It's fine; leave it.

The only thing that I'd recommend is to check the anode rod. That can help to extend the life of the tank. Alternately, if the water heater is quite old, consider replacing the whole thing before it starts leaking and makes a mess, probably on a Friday night.

slackmax

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1411
Re: Easy or hard? Replace pressure relief valve on water heater
« Reply #2 on: November 11, 2016, 08:10:44 AM »
Pebs,

Sounds like the new plumber was a ripoff artist (like some of the plumbers around here!).

I just spent a lot of time removing the TPR (Temp/Pressure/Relief)  valve on my old electric water heater. I had to soak it in Liquid Wrench and even bought a new big pipe wrench to yank on it. I finally did get it out. It was still working fine after 20 years, but I had to remove it to test something else. 

So yes, it can be removed and replaced, but it might be time-consuming. I'm kind of in agreement with the previous poster to leave it alone. And to ignore/forget (or preferably, severely beat) that slimey ripoff plumber.     

paddedhat

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2228
Re: Easy or hard? Replace pressure relief valve on water heater
« Reply #3 on: November 11, 2016, 02:55:16 PM »
The plumber is a world class con artist, I wouldn't let the guy set foot in the house again. If you have a P&T valve that IS NOT leaking, your best bet is to not go near it. They are a very simple device, and will work just fine, decades after they are installed, as long as they are not screwed with. If you test it by flipping the handle, you have about a 90% chance that it will not seat correctly, and will leak until you replace it. As slackmax correctly notes, they can be an absolute bitch to replace.

The other scheme that getting some play in my area is plumbers and home inspectors (another group with a high percentage of scum sucking con-men) are telling folks that they need to replace drainage piping on P&T valves since it's not soldiered copper pipe, and is a serious safety issue. Bullshit. The current IRC code currently has a long list of acceptable piping for this application, and it pretty much condenses to, "if it's legal for use in water supply lines, it's fine for P&T drains"  CPVC, PEX, copper, etc......

I'm a red panda

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8186
  • Location: United States
Re: Easy or hard? Replace pressure relief valve on water heater
« Reply #4 on: November 11, 2016, 02:59:10 PM »
I wouldn't even "test" the one you have as they have a way of leaking when tested if they're old and opened. It's fine; leave it.


We got our new water heater. The instruction manual said to test it yearly. We did. The water heater leaked, husband could not fix it. Called the water heater guy  "Why would you have done that? Don't do that again. The water heater will rust out (the water quality in our area, even with a softener is crap- so water heaters are basically disposable) before the pressure release valve needs anything. Don't touch it again."  And then we had to get a new water heater.

BudgetSlasher

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1212
Re: Easy or hard? Replace pressure relief valve on water heater
« Reply #5 on: November 11, 2016, 03:19:35 PM »
I am slightly confused; your title says replace pressure relief valve, but your post says

"At the very least, we needed to have a pressure relief valve on it. . .and went on about how it is now code to have a pressure relief valve and if we ever wanted to sell the house"

which mades it sound like there is no relief valve present.

I've replaced pressure relief valve before and it is literally just turn the water off, relieve the pressure on the system, keep all water fixtures shut off, unscrew the drain pipe (this might have to be disassembled cut apart and replaced), unscrew the valve, screw in the new valve (with appropriate thread sealant), reattach drain pipe, and turn the water back on. Adding one might be a little moe difficult if one is not present.

As to his statement that it is code now and you will have to do it when you sell the house, unless the law is different where you are, that is complete bullshit (you might have to disclose a known code violation, if it is not grandfathered). They buyer might try and negotiate a repair, if it is even noticed on the inspect, but you can sell the house and it is the buyers problem.

paddedhat

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2228
Re: Easy or hard? Replace pressure relief valve on water heater
« Reply #6 on: November 11, 2016, 03:47:03 PM »
I wouldn't even "test" the one you have as they have a way of leaking when tested if they're old and opened. It's fine; leave it.


We got our new water heater. The instruction manual said to test it yearly. We did. The water heater leaked, husband could not fix it. Called the water heater guy  "Why would you have done that? Don't do that again. The water heater will rust out (the water quality in our area, even with a softener is crap- so water heaters are basically disposable) before the pressure release valve needs anything. Don't touch it again."  And then we had to get a new water heater.

Once heard an old US Navy "plumber" with a funny story. He was properly taught that you inspect the countless P&T valves on the ship by walking up to them, taking a look and saying to yourself, "Yep, that's a P&T valve, it's not dripping, all is well",  then check the box on the inspection clipboard. Well, one day they get a new officer in charge of maintenance. The new guy is all swagger, and gave them the "new sheriff in town" speech. He then taught all of the clueless rubes under his command that they need to activate every P&T valve when inspecting them.  Well, the guy telling the story reported that they spent they then spent hundred hours changing valves, until a much more senior officer asked the "new sheriff" if he was just some special grade of stupid, or did he deliberately waste piles of the Navy's money creating leaks, and wrecking valves? 

In your case, you have been victimized by lawyers. The instruction on the valve are there so when one fails to open , and the heater launches like a rocket, they can get the poor homeowner on the stand and ask, "well sir, I'm sure that you followed the manufacturer's printed instructions, and tested the P&T valve on an annual basis". No you did not? Well, if you didn't do your part, how can you possibly blame the water heater manufacturer for destroying your house, and launching your cat into orbit? 

MMM98

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 113
Re: Easy or hard? Replace pressure relief valve on water heater
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2016, 11:59:18 AM »
I have never heard or seen a water heater without a pressure relief valve.  They cost 15 bucks and are just threaded in.  See one here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006IX8B4/ref=psdc_4650349011_t1_B0012QKUBU.  I believe they have been required to be preinstalled on water heaters for over 70 years.  Long answer to say you con a con artist on your hands here.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!