How to Replace a Home Depot GE/Rheem Water Heater Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve (TP&R) Valve

How to Replace a Home Depot GE/Rheem Water Heater Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve (TP&R) Valve  

Leaking and dripping Home Depot GE/Rheem water heater temperature and pressure relief safety valves are not difficult to replace as long as you have all the necessary tools and equipment with you before beginning. You will need at least a 14” or larger pipe wrench, a roll of plumber’s pipe thread tape (white or pink), the correct T&PR valve. There are a number of different relief valves for use with a diversity of water heater sizes and uses. Refer to your Home Depot water heater repair manual for the exact T&P safety valve you need. 

Turn of the water heaters gas valve supply or electric breakers and set the water heater temperature control to vacation or its lowest setting.  

Close off the water supply to your Home Depot water heater. Shut off the individual appliance shut-off valve if you have on located just above the water heater on the cold water inlet line. If you do not have an individual appliance shut-off valve, close the water supply valve to the home at the city water meter or well house. Open several cold and hot water faucets to relive the remaining water pressure from the plumbing system. 

Disconnect the drain tube from the T&PR valve. You may need to cut the pipe in two or three parts; this will allow you to unscrew it from the T&P valve. 

Using your pipe wrench turn the T&P Relief valve counterclockwise to remove it from the water heater tank. There may be a small amount of water leak from the opening; this is normal and can be cleaned up with a few old bath towels or shop vac.  

Wrap the threads of your new Home Depot water temperature and pressure relief valve in a clockwise direction five or six times; this is sufficient to create a water tight seal. 

Screw the new T&P valve into the water heater tank by hand, and then secure it in place with your pipe wrench. Caution; only hold the valve from its reinforced flat sides. The flat sides are meant to be used for installation. If you tighten the valve on t its outlet, you will damage it. 

Reconnect the T&P valve drain tube, turn the water supply back on and wait for full water flow from every open faucet. Close all the water faucets. Turn the gas or electric supply back on to the water heater. 

Inspect your Home Depot Water Heater Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve for leaking or drip out of the drain tube and all around its connection to the water heater tank. If you find the safety valve leaking around the tank connection, start over and use more thread tape.