View Full Version : Can I plug my leaking t&p valve?
twinnh
Dec 2, 2011, 07:32 AM
My T&P valve on my electric water tank leaking. What's the worst that can happen if I put a plug in it until I can get it fixed ?
Thank you for the help
ballengerb1
Dec 2, 2011, 07:34 AM
That is a safety feature, without it your heater could burst if the pressure or temp rise too high.
speedball1
Dec 2, 2011, 07:53 AM
What's the worst that can happen if I put a plug in it until I can get it fixed ?
You don't want to find out. By plugging off the T&P valve you have removed the only safety feature your water heater has. Let me tell you what I saw as a young boy back in Wisconsin.
Water heater in the basement had no T&P valve.
The thermostat went bad and kept calling for more heat. After a while the water turned to steam and the boiler exploded.
It shot up past the living room, through a bedroom and out the roof. The boiler was found a half block away in a vacant field flat as a pancake. Still want to seal off your heater? Replace the T&P valve and stay safe. Good luck, Tom
massplumber2008
Dec 2, 2011, 03:29 PM
Check out what happens when someone plugs the T&P valve and the water heater has an issue...
Water Heater Blast! (http://www.waterheaterblast.com)
Click on the video at the bottom of the page.
Mark
mygirlsdad77
Dec 2, 2011, 05:12 PM
HI twinnh. As the above have stated, the worst that could happen, is major propety damage, death to anyone in the home or within a very large radius of your home, and personal liability for any of the above and more. Plain and simple, don't do it for any reason.
Mark, I can't get the vid to play, but I think I know what happens:)
massplumber2008
Dec 2, 2011, 07:31 PM
Type:
Www,waterheaterblast.com
In your address bar (replace comma with period, of course).
They only show a 12 gallon exploding.
I saw fire department videos showing the destruction to homes from 40 gallon water heaters exploding... very, very messy/dangerous stuff!
Glad you asked the question, twinnh... :)
afaroo
Dec 3, 2011, 02:09 AM
Hello Mygirlsdad,
Open the link below is the same clip as Mark posted, Thanks.
John
Water Heater Blast - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDzC8RfJzJk)
massplumber2008
Dec 3, 2011, 06:33 AM
Let's do that even one better, John... I'll post the video right here!
rDzC8RfJzJk
speedball1
Dec 3, 2011, 08:02 AM
Love your first video Mark! Can I get a phone number? Cheers, Tom