New Info ASAP Hot Water Release valve

[aandbr]

The release valve on our hot water tank just blew. Hot water spilling out in profusion.
Does that mean the valve is kaput.
What causes the valve to release?

HELP


Art

[Tom3205]

Replace the valve. It is not expensive. Original may fail again, at any time, so just replace it. It just unscrews.

[ChasA]

Water got too hot or pressure got too high. Probably the water too hot caused by a bad thermostat on the water heater.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Sounds to me that it did what it is supposed to, i.e. release pressure before the tank exploded from excess heat (which makes steam). You may have to replace the relief valve, but that's not a given. What you do have to do is have the overheat problem fixed, which is probably either a bad thermostat or defective heater controller. Your heater has a built-in emergency heater shutoff as well as the standard thermostat, so both must have failed to allow an overheat. Got to find out why.

Note: a failed PT valve leaks (dribbles) but doesn't gush out water. It takes a lot of heat to force it open enough to gush out - typically 210 degrees or 150 psi of pressure. Either condition is serious!

[aandbr]

I opened the release valve all the way, turned the water off and let it sit for approx. 1 hour and restarted water and closed the valve, everything seems to be back to normal for now.
I will get a new valve and replace this one, in the mean time I will keep a close eye on the situation.

Thank you for your input, its nice to see such prompt responses to our problems.

Art

[stik]

Originally Posted by aandbr

The release valve on our hot water tank just blew. Hot water spilling out in profusion.
Does that mean the valve is kaput.
What causes the valve to release?

HELP


Art

Everything you did (and didn't) want to know about the relief valve on your water heater:

Temperature and Pressure (T&P) relief valves - Support - Water Safety & Flow Control -Watts

[deandec]

Water Release Valves seldom fail.

It did what it was supposed to do.

It likely has not failed.

Fix the overheat problem.