Learn 3 Reasons Why Your Pressure Relief Valve Is Leaking

The TPR Valve or temperature relief valves are safety devices that are installed on your water heating appliance. There are typically three reasons why your pressure relief valve is leaking. The TPR valve leaks if it’s defective, there is excessive pressure inside the tank or there is excessive temperature inside the tank.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Is it normal for a temperature relief valve to leak? If the valve has not been open for some years then it is normal for a slight leak to occur. It may not mean something is wrong but to be sure we recommend a qualified plumber inspects it.
2. What problems occur to indicate a TPR valve is faulty? If the system is not reaching pressure, this could be a sign that the pressure relief valve is leaking. If the valve is calibrated incorrectly to the wrong pressure, it could be released early.

How to Fix your Pressure Relief Valve

1. Try opening and closing it multiple times to see if it will seat itself
2. Shut off the cold water valve inlet to the water heater
3. Open the valve at the bottom of the pressure relief valve. Depending on how it was installed it may be flued or soldered in place and need to be cut off
4. Use a pipe wrench to unscrew the old pressure relief valve
5. Use Teflon tape around the threads of the new valve, and screw it until tight, facing the overflow pipe opening away from the tank
6. Reattach the relief valve drain pipe using Teflon tape. If the drain pipe needs to be replaced, ensure that the pipe is rated for the hot water heater such as CPVC.
7. Open the cold water valve and check for leaks

Pressure Relief Valve Is Leaking:

Check out this repair video below: 

Check out our other article “Why Water Are Making Noise” to learn more about water heaters. For additional questions or comments, be sure to comment. GGR Home Inspections conducts home inspections in the Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami Dade county areas.

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