I need to install a vacuum relief valve on the cold water supply line for my hot water tank. I know where to install it but I was just wondering what I need to do before doing the work (obviously turn off the water to the house), but do I need turn off the power (its electric) to the hot water tank and drain it as well? Thanks!

No need to drain the tank or shut off power. Just shut water off and bleed pressure off system. Then cut into the area where you are planning to install the vac breaker, or whatever it is you are installing, then make sure there is no water present in the piping that you are trying to solder(if your soldering). IF the piping is plastic a LITTLE water won't affect the connecting process. Let us know more about your project if you would like more advice. Good luck. Lee.

By bleeding pressure do you mean turning off water to the house and running some taps to bleed the cold water supply line? And yes the pipes are plastic.

Yes, that's exactly what I mean by bleeding the pressure. You may get a little water out of the line when you cut into it, so have some towels and a bucket handy. Sounds like your all set. Good luck and please do let us know how everything works out. Lee.

Thanks for the advice. I completed all the work on the hot water tank within a couple hours and its working fine. However, when I turned the water back on after I was done, the main water valve (where the water comes in the house) started leaking... The valve is only a year old (new house) and I don't understand why it would be leaking. Its only dripping once every 10 seconds and I don't know what to do... Do I need to turn off the water at the road and replace the valve? Im hoping there's something I can tighten on the valve to eliminate the leak. Any help would be appreciated!

Where is it dripping from? If its dripping directly behind the handle, then you can tighten the packing nut. If it's a ball valve, remove the handle, and use a pair of plier or a wrench to tighten the packing nut(dont overtighten it, just snug it up). This should cure your problem. If it's a globe or gate valve, you won't need to remove the handle, just tighten the nut up. Please do let me know if this helps.

It does seem like its coming from behind the handle but I don't understand where the packing nut would be. The only nut I can see that could be tightened is the bolt that holds the handle onto the valve. Is it safe to remove the handle on the main water valve since I won't be able to turn the water off? (sorry for these ignorant questions.. )

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Originally Posted by ;

i dont understand where the packing nut would be.

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If your valve looks like this,(see image) there will be two nuts. You snug up the top nut until the leak stops. Do not overtighten!! Anything else take a picture and let us see. Good luck, Tom

Almost every shut off valve has a packing nut follow Mygirlsdad's advice and you will be Ok, see the attach pitures for info, good luck.

John

Thanks for the backup guys.

Sland4, if your valve looks like the one on the left in afaroos pics, then yes, it is okay to remove the nut that holdes the handle on. Then remove the handle and you will see the packing nut, snug it up and reinstall the handle and nut. Hope to hear how things work out.

Thanks for the clear advice. I just snugged up that packing nut and all seems well! I have been very impressed with this website and will recommend it to friends. Thanks again.
Benj, Summerland BC. Canada

We thank you for the nice words and for the update. Tom

As Tom says thanks for the update and don't hesitate to come back in case you need help, Good Luck.

John

Glad we could help, take care. Lee.

I had the main water valve to my house leaking out of the stem. I thought oh boy, going to have to call the city to shut the water off and repair/replace my valve. Started looking around the internet for any answers and stumbled across these posts. No way I thought just tightening up that packing nut would stop the leak, nothing is ever that easy. I went and got a wrench, gave the nut a little turn and OMG! wow, wow, wow - it stopped leaking - I am thrilled to say the least. I was probably losing a gallon of water every 15-20 minutes. I am so glad I came to this site -thanks.

We are glad that this website helped you, Thanks for the update.

John