How to Stop a Leaking Water Pressure Relief Valve

  • 3-6 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 200-500
What You'll Need
Hack Saw
Pipe Wrench
Teflon Tape
Screwdriver
Replacement Drain Pipe
What You'll Need
Hack Saw
Pipe Wrench
Teflon Tape
Screwdriver
Replacement Drain Pipe

You may find that your water pressure relief valve may begin to leak after it has been flushed. It may also begin to leak after time or if it was not installed properly. There are a lot of different things that may have caused your water pressure relief valve to begin to leak. It all comes down to knowing how to fix it. Because no matter what caused the leak, the steps to fix it are always the same.

Step 1 – Easy Fix

The first thing that you should try is the thing that is the easiest fix. You will start by simply opening and closing your valve a few times. Sometimes this is all it needs to get itself working properly again. This is something that you should try only if you have a small leak that results in just a drip. Anything larger than that and you will need to move on to the next steps that involve replacing your valve completely.

Step 2 – Shut Off

First, you need to cut off the gas supply to your water heater. Find the gas supply valve and turn it to the off position for this. Be aware that you may need to have the gas department or utility company do an inspection before you turn the gas back on depending on where you live. If you are working with an electric heater, cut the power at the circuit by flipping the breaker.

Step 3 – Prepare Valves

You will first need to get your cold water cut off valve closed before you begin to do any work for your water heater. From there, the valve that is at the very bottom will need to be opened up. This will allow your pressure relief valve to be opened up so that it will have a chance to drain the water out of your tank.

Step 4 – Overflow Pipe Removal

You are now ready to get your overflow pipe removed from your pressure relief valve. You will need to use your hacksaw or some other means to get it cut off. Cutting it off will only need to be done if your valve has been soldered or glued on. Otherwise, it should come right off with little to no issues. Once you have your overflow pipe removed you will then be able to get out your pipe wrench and unscrew your old pressure relief valve.

Step 5 – Screw in New Valve

Before you are able to get your new valve screwed in you will need to get Teflon tape wrapped around the threads of your new valve. Make sure that you have it screwed in tight and that you have the overflow pipe positioned so that it is opening away from your tank. Use Teflon tape to reattach your relief valve drain pipe and then open up your cold water cut off to check for leaks.