Plumbing, Inc.
WATER
HEATER SAFETY: Water heater safety is not to be ignored. If your water heater is leaking through the
valve (temperature and pressure valve) on the side, you do not need a new water
heater, however a leaking temperature and pressure (t&p) valve creates a
dangerous situation where your water heater could explode. If your t&p
valve is leaking in the slightest bit call a licensed plumber to service it
immediately. Period. The water heater is being exposed
to extremely high temperatures and or pressure levels.
Preventative
Maintenance for T&P (temperature & pressure) valve:
The main reasons for t&p valve leakage in this region are a
failed PRV (pressure reducing valve) or a failed thermostat. Leaks in the
t&p valve could also be due to the lack of a thermal expansion tank. Replacement of a failed PRV, or failed
thermostat, or installation of a thermal expansion tank by a licensed plumber
will stop the leaking of the t&p valve.
What
You Can Do:
Materials:
·
Safety
Glasses (protect those pupils!)
·
Shoes
(you don’t
want 130 plus degrees of water on your toes)
·
Gloves
(keep your
hands looking young without burns)
·
A
rag or towel (keep it clean)
Instructions
Preventative Maintenance T&P valve:
1.
This
maintenance is to be preformed every 6 months to prevent leaks from your
T&P valve.
2.
Be sure your t&p valve has
piping of not less than ¾” in diameter extending to within six inches of the
floor. If not, stop and make sure that the t&p is piped properly. You can
go to your local hardware store (Asheville Hardware) and explain to the
salesperson that you need to properly pipe the t&p valve to the floor and
they will supply you with the necessary materials. If you are unsure of how to
do this, call your plumber. Important note: The drain on the t&p relief
valve piping must never be blocked, kinked, or reduced in size less than ¾”.
3.
Place rag or towel underneath T&P valve
that will catch any drips. Take hold of the lever on the t&p valve with
thumb and forefinger and gently turn to open, releasing water, one time.
The valve is spring loaded so it should go back into place once you let go of
it. Do not over tighten, I recommend ¼ of a turn past hand tight. If the valve
hangs open and continues to let water pass through, it is time to call a
licensed plumber to replace the t&p valve.
Fine Home Building Magazine Article
Fixing
Leaky Copper
How to remove and replace a failing valve or fitting
by Georg Efird
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Division of
Water Resources
Drought Monitoring
Volume Converter - CCF of water to gallons of water
Figure out how many gallons
you use each water billing cycle
H2O Conserve water footprint calculator
www.h2oconserve.org
NC State University Rainwater Harvesting Calculator
(go down to the bottom of web page to use the "Water Harvesting Lite"
calculator)
Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes – Ashevillenc.gov
Untreated Gray Water in North Carolina is Wastewater/Sewage
http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/images/GraywaterFACTS-103007.pdf
For questions on the current
Plumbing Code or gray water recycling systems, contact the N.C. Building Code
Council at (919) 661-5880 or the N.C. Department of Insurance at (800)
546-5664. For more information about gray water, contact Dr. Barbara Hartley
Grimes, Non-Point Source Pollution Program coordinator for the Division of
Environmental Health, at (919) 715-0141 or by e-mail at barbara.grimes@ncmail.net. You can also
check with local plumbing inspectors, and obtain the proper permits, before
installing a gray water recycling system.
