Water Heater T&P Valve Test

The Causes of a Water Heater Tank Explosion

With regards to having to undertake servicing on ones water heater, it is a comparatively minimal maintenance appliance. However, one critical aspect of it should be checked out routinely. Hot Water Heater Repair Arlington TX would like to pass on this safety information concerning ones water heater today.

High temperature if merged with tank corrosion inside the storage tank may cause an explosion. Whenever the water temperature is below 212 degrees Fahrenheit, one shall be safe from an explosion, though there is a threat of scalding at that temperature. However, if the water temperature is over 212 degrees, water transforms into steam, which will expand to 1,700 times the space it occupies as water. This is when an explosion can happen.

Warning Indicators of a Water Heater Explosion

The leading sign is if one goes to get hot water from a faucet and only steam comes out. Promptly turn off electric power if one has an electric water heater. If one owns a gas hot water heater, turn off the gas valve going to the water heater. And then, give us a call to come assess the situation.

Minimizing Potential Water Heater Dangers

The most crucial routine maintenance activity with a water heater is to examine the pressure relief valve, also referred to as the T&P valve, on a usual basis. This valve helps regulate the pressure accumulation within the water storage tank to avert a threatening increase in temperature and overpressure.

Warning!

Be careful, the water discharge out of a T&P valve might be really hot. If you do not feel at ease examining the valve let us know. In addition, doing any type of fixes to the valve ought to be performed by a expert plumbing repair business.

How to Test the T&P Valve

Remove anything from around the area around the overflow pipe and floor drain.

Raise the test handle for roughly 5 seconds or until the water runs clear.

Release the handle.

If the T&P valve continues to run with water, raise the handle up and down rapidly to have it reseat itself. One might have to do this a handful of times. IF it has not been tested for a while, it might be difficult to raise it at first. Avoid using an excessive amount of force, however could need to utilize a little.

If the T&P valve continues to have water coming out, it should be changed.

Some other things to watch out for are rust on the stem of the valve. If there is any water leaking out of the valve stem or from the drain valve.

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