I am a new homeowner and need to manually operate the temperature-pressure relief valve on my water heater. How long do I open the valve for? Will water come out of the pipe? I'm new to this.

Thank you,

Helen

Just pull up on the handle.

And if it hasn't been operated in a while, a good shot of muddy HOT water will likley spew out of it.

FYI when you do this, I'd do it when a hardware store is open in case the valve doesn't close properly and leaks there after.

Which is why I normally don't pull the handle on them unless I have to.

Helen, this is not something folks should be doing. Why are you doing this? That valve is a safety valve and once you open it there is a slight chance it will not completetly seal. If you must drain or flush your tank you use the drain spigot at the bottom of the tank. Please tell us what you are doing and why.

Moved to plumbing

Hi Helen,

I agree with ballengerb1 (Bob) you don't open this valve, but some manufacturers recommend to open this valve while you are draining your water heater other wise no touch,we don't recommend to open this valve, please answer to Bob's question, Thanks.

Regards,
John

Helen, this is not something folks should be doing. Why are you doing this?? That valve is a safety valve and once you open it there is a slight chance it will not completetly seal. If you must drain or flush your tank you use the drain spigot at the bottom of the tank. Please tell us what you are doing and why.

Andrewc was right. I just read what my manual told me to do. Thanks for replying. I'm guessing my thing to do is nothing then.

Thanks for helping the helpless (ME!)

Helen

Absolutely nothing, Helen ! Just enjoy your new house !:D

Absolutely nothing, Helen ! Just enjoy your new house !:D

Thank you Milo. It is comforting to know that such a website exists and that such helful and nice people like ourself are part of it.

Helen :D