How to Fix a Home Depot Water Heater Pressure Valve

Now that's a water leak!

A leaking water heater temperature and pressure relief valve can destroy a home within hours. These pressure valves on your water heater exist for safety purposes. If the water temperature or pressure exceeds the manufacturer's specifications, the valve will open to release the excessive pressure and allow the unit to return to normal operation. Natural wear and tear and mineral deposit build up from hard water can cause water heater pressure valves to leak. If you purchased your water heater from Home Depot or any other home center, they will have the replacement parts you need to fix it.

Things You'll Need

• Pipe wrench
• Screwdriver
• Thread tape
• Pliers
• Garden hose
• Work gloves
• Replacement water heater pressure valve

Instructions

1. Shut off the electricity or the natural gas or propane supply to the water heater. If you have an electric water heater, you will need to unplug the unit from the wall or turn off the power at the main home breaker panel. If your unit is natural gas or propane, follow the manufacturer's instructions and turn the thermostat control to the off position. This will prevent damage to the water heater when it is drained.

2. Shut off the cold water supply to the water heater. You should see a valve above the water heater with a round or straight handle. A round handle valve will need to turn several times to the right until it stops to shut off the water supply, while a straight handle valve will turn 90 degrees to the right and stop. If you do not have a shut off valve on the cold water supply near the water heater, you will need to turn off the main water supply to the home.

3. Drain the water heater. Attach a garden hose to the water heater drain, a small plastic or brass valve located near the bottom of the heater usually under the pressure valve. Run the hose to a nearby floor drain or outside to the street. Turn on the drain valve, using a screwdriver or pliers, to begin the draining process and relieve any excess water pressure. Lift the small metal lever on the pressure valve until it points straight out to allow air to flow into the tank and the water to drain freely. Turn the drain valve off and remove the hose when the heater has drained.

4. Remove the old pressure valve. Using a medium size pipe wrench, turn the valve to the left, or counterclockwise. Continue to turn the valve until it is loose enough to remove by hand. Use caution, as the valve may still be hot.

5. Install the new pressure valve. Wrap the threads of the new pressure valve with plumber's thread tape several times; this will make a watertight seal between the valve and tank. Screw the valve into the tank by hand, then use your pipe wrench to finish tightening it. Make sure the valve points straight down before it gets too hard to turn.

6. Turn the water back on and open all the hot water faucets in the house to allow all excess air to exit the water heater. Only turn off the water faucets when full water flow returns and no more air spurts out. Check for leaks by visually inspecting the valve and valve connection to the heater.

7. Restore power to an electric water heater, or turn the thermostat on to a natural gas or propane unit and relight.

Tips & Warnings

• Exercise extreme caution when dealing with electricity, natural gas or propane.

• Wear heavy work gloves, as the valve is likely to be hot.

• Use caution when selecting a place for the garden hose to release hot water; the hot water could injure someone or kill the grass.

• If you are not comfortable with any of these steps, call a licensed professional to fix your water heater.

References

• Installing a Pressure Relief Valve

Resources

• Home Depot: How To Guide