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    twinnh's Avatar
    twinnh Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Dec 2, 2011, 07:32 AM
    Can I plug my leaking t&p valve?
    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's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #2

    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's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #3

    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's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #4

    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!

    Click on the video at the bottom of the page.

    Mark
    mygirlsdad77's Avatar
    mygirlsdad77 Posts: 5,713, Reputation: 339
    Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #5

    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's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #6

    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's Avatar
    afaroo Posts: 4,006, Reputation: 251
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #7

    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
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #8

    Dec 3, 2011, 06:33 AM
    Let's do that even one better, John... I'll post the video right here!
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #9

    Dec 3, 2011, 08:02 AM
    Love your first video Mark! Can I get a phone number? Cheers, Tom
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