Water Heater Question

Okay guys I need some help. This morning the water heater decided to take a leak on the floor. Theres some kind of valve on the top which is where the water was coming from. It looks like its a purge valve. When I pulled the lever on top water started coming out a lot faster. Here is a picture of the valve.



Could this thing just not be sealing and needs to be replaced? I can't figure out how to get it out, does anyone here know how? And if I can't remove it, could I possibly put a ball valve in front of it and just close it off?

Thanks in advance.

hey seth yes it is a pressure relief or over flow valve. they do come out and can be replaced. i would not suggest putting a ball valve on it since if it tried to over run or something it couldnt so you could end up with a big water bomb.

Okay then, how do you get it out? Is it screwed in? I just need a huge ass crescent wrench or channel locks?

Originally posted by goinglow



Are you sure it's bad? Cause it's suppose to release pressure/water, or is just leaking around the fitting walls?

But what Jeff said, if you plug it you could have a big water bomb. Lol, that would kinda be cool to watch, atleast under a safe environment...

It was pouring out. We were filling up gallon sized mixing bowls in under a minute each. I've got the hot water off right now because it just spews out. So I'm not sure its bad or not. Thats why I'm asking you guys.

I'm just hoping its not the water heater itself, because I can't afford a new one right now.

Yes. After my brother took a shower this morning it started coming out of there pretty quick. There was a brass pipe on it that directed the water to the floor.

that valve should unscrew seth. also they do go bad, it is not common but i have seen one go bad before. you should be able to get one at lowes for less than $10

Okay I'll go try to get it out. The first time I pried on it, it felt like it was going to break.

I just figured the rubber seal was bad. And my mom recently turned the heat up a lot.

yeah turning the water temp up can really destroy the rubber quick if it is older. they rubber obvioulsy gets deteriated quickly when having pressure and water on it.

That is pop off valve. They cost about 12 bux at the local hardware store, and there are 3 sizes. They unscrew it is a 3/4" pipe thread. Just unscrew it and go to the hardware store and they can fix you up.