Logo for Any Hour Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Air featuring a smiling technician with crossed arms, a stopwatch, and a bold, professional tone.
You are viewing the Arizona site
You are viewing the Utah site

How to Check Your T&P Valve

WATER HEATER ANNUAL MAINTENANCE

The T&P valve is designed to open and release pressure inside the tank if the temperature or pressure inside gets too high. If your T&P valve is either always leaking or, if you test it and no hot water comes out, you should replace the valve immediately.

Mineral or salt buildups, rust, corrosion, or mechanical equipment failure can cause T&P valves to malfunction. A failed or malfunctioning T&P valve can lead to quite a mess and in some extreme cases, can lead to catastrophic damage.

Think about it this way: if the T&P valve is designed to release pressure in the water heater but doesn’t do its job, internal pressure will continue to build and build until the water heater actually explodes. While very rare, water heaters have been known to rocket through the roofs of houses, leaving 50 gallons of boiling hot water and steam in their wakes. What a mess!

To see how it actually happens, watch this MythBusters episode where they simulate a water heater explosion.

However, there are signs you can look for before your water heater turns into a bomb. In your home, the Pressure Relief Valve, or PRV, is designed to regulate internal pressure in your plumbing. When the T&P valve on your water heater isn’t working, that extra pressure is sent throughout the house. Therefore, all of the pipes and appliances in your house will expand and contract with the pressure, including the water heater tank. An expanding and contracting tank can crack the glass liners inside, which means the tank is now compromised, which can lead to failure. So, you can troubleshoot for a problematic T&P valve if you have leaking fixtures or experience a lot of pressure in your appliances connected to the plumbing system in your home. The good news is that when you turn on a faucet, this relieves system pressure; however, this is also why most water heater failures happen when people are out of town. No one is turning on faucets to relieve tank pressure.

So, let’s make sure we check that T&P valve, shall we? Keep in mind that these instructions are designed to help the do-it-yourself homeowner take care of their own water heater. However, if you read the following instructions and feel like this might be a bigger job than you want to take on, call a plumber you trust to help.

Complete these 4 steps FIRST before performing ANY maintenance on your water heater to avoid the risk of water damage, scalding burns, electrocution, or explosion: 

  1. Disconnect power at the breaker for an electric water heater.  
  2. Shut off the gas valve for a gas water heater and make sure the pilot light is extinguished.
  3. Close the cold water inlet valve or main water supply. 
  4. Turn on the hot water at a faucet somewhere in the house. No water will come out of the faucet; this simply helps to relieve the pressure inside the water heater tank. 
With the power and the cold-water supply off, check the T&P valve by placing a bucket under the pipe connected to the valve on the top or side of the tank. Lift the valve's tab to let some water out into the bucket. You should be able to hear a slight rush of air or see some water and vapor exit through the pressure relief valve. If not, it needs to be replaced. Now, let go of the valve. If water keeps flowing, this is another indicator that your valve needs to be replaced. 
 
Drain the tank halfway and, using a pipe wrench, remove the discharge pipe and unscrew the valve from the water heater. You’ll need to be aware of the stem length of your existing valve when you go to purchase a replacement to make sure it’s the right one. Screw the new valve into place, tightening it with a wrench. Reattach the discharge pipe and refill your water heater tank. 
 
If at any time you feel overwhelmed, have questions or concerns, call a plumber you trust for help. If you don’t have a trusted, licensed plumber and are in the Utah market, call Any Hour Services and we’d be happy to send a plumber to your home to assess your system, perform any maintenance for you, and answer any questions you might have.
Join our email list to get access to weekly emails with helpful videos, educational articles, and DIY home maintenance guides.
Logo for Any Hour Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Air featuring a smiling technician with crossed arms, a stopwatch, and a bold, professional tone.

Any Hour Services

1374 West 130 South, Orem, UT 84058

© Copyright 2024 Any Hour Services LLC
© 2024 Any Hour Services LLC

Pricing FAQ

A:

Our pricing is fair and transparent. We use a fixed-price guide that reflects the time, materials, and real costs of running a dependable home services business. No hourly rates. No inflated prices based on where you live. We focus on what it takes to get the job done—not on how much we can charge.

Before we price your drains or excavation project, our expert technician will perform an in-home assessment to evaluate the tasks required. We only charge for what’s necessary—no fluff, no extra costs. This allows us to pinpoint areas where we can save you money without sacrificing quality.

Call Now

A:

A: We price the job—not the clock. Hourly rates can be unpredictable, leaving you unsure of the final cost until the job is done. We believe in upfront, fixed pricing based on the work itself—not guesswork. You won’t pay for delays or mistakes, and we hold ourselves accountable to ensure there are no surprises.

Call Now

A:

We prefer to price based on the job and not what other companies charge. Hourly rates can lead to unexpected costs for homeowners, making the final price unpredictable. By pricing the work itself, we make sure you’re only paying for what’s actually needed—keeping things fair and efficient.

Call Now

A:

Requesting a quote is simple. Contact Any Hour Services, and we will assess your needs, providing a transparent estimate for the repairs.

We also provide FREE estimates and second opinions for major plumbing and excavation projects like repiping, sewer or water line replacements, remodels, and outdoor drain installs. Our team will evaluate the job in person, explain your options, and give you clear, upfront pricing. No hourly rates. No surprises. Just honest answers and expert service.

Call Now

A:

Yes, you can request a quote online—our team at Any Hour Services responds promptly to every inquiry.

Call Now

A:

We offer a $29 Drain Clear for single, easy-access drains. A licensed plumber will inspect the issue, clear out buildup like grease or debris, and get things flowing again. It’s a simple, affordable way to fix slow drains and help protect your plumbing from bigger problems down the line.

Call Now

A:

Yes, we provide FREE estimates for sewer main line replacements. If you are looking to replace your sewer main line, one of our expert technicians will come to your home and inspect your sewer main line, before showing you your options. Call us if you have questions about replacing your sewer main line—we’re here to help!

Call Now

A:

You can pay for your service with cash, check, or any major credit card. We collect, in full, upon completion of the project. If you would like to make monthly payments, we have many financing options available through 3rd party finance companies (On Approved Credit). Your technician can talk to you about your options when they give you pricing options for the work you want done.

Call Now

A:

Our phone staff are not expert technicians, so they can’t quote prices that would be accurate to your project’s needs. A trained technician needs to see the job firsthand to give you a clear, upfront price. Quotes over the phone are a guess, and we prefer transparency over uncertainty.

Call Now

A:

Ballpark prices can be misleading. Until we see the job, we can’t quote your final estimate accurately. Other companies may give an estimate range, but that often leads to additional costs and surprises later. Instead, we focus on giving you a fair price once a trained technician can assess the job properly.

Call Now

A:

A: We have a small dispatch fee to send our technician to your home. They’ll arrive in a truck stocked with thousands of parts, ready to complete most jobs the same day. After a thorough evaluation, your technician will explain the issue, walk you through the recommended fix, and show you your options and final price. No hourly rates. No surprises. Just a clear, upfront price before any work begins.

Call Now

Pricing FAQ

A:

Our pricing is fair and transparent. We use a fixed-price guide that reflects the time, materials, and real costs of running a dependable home services business. No hourly rates. No inflated prices based on where you live. We focus on what it takes to get the job done—not on how much we can charge.

Before we price your plumbing job, our licensed plumber will perform an in-home assessment to evaluate the tasks required. We only charge for what’s necessary—no fluff, no extra costs. This allows us to pinpoint areas where we can save you money without sacrificing quality.

Call Now

A:

We price the job—not the clock. Hourly rates can be unpredictable, leaving you unsure of the final cost until the job is done. We believe in upfront, fixed pricing based on the work itself—not guesswork. You won’t pay for delays or mistakes, and we hold ourselves accountable to ensure there are no surprises.

Call Now

A:

We prefer to price based on the job and not what other companies charge. Hourly rates can lead to unexpected costs for homeowners, making the final price unpredictable. By pricing the work itself, we make sure you’re only paying for what’s actually needed—keeping things fair and efficient.

Call Now

A:

Water heater replacements vary. Often, older units require updates to meet safety standards. Common items missing from many water heaters are flexible gas lines, expansion tanks, earthquake straps, gas sediment trap, upgrade exhaust venting, etc.

For an accurate quote, one of our licensed plumbers will inspect your existing system and provide a FREE estimate.

Call Now

A:

Our phone staff are not licensed plumbers, so they can’t quote prices that would be accurate to your project’s needs. A trained plumber needs to see the job firsthand to give you a clear, upfront price. Quotes over the phone are a guess, and we prefer transparency over uncertainty.

Call Now

A:

Ballpark prices can be misleading. Until we see the job, we can’t quote your final estimate accurately. Other companies may give an estimate range, but that often leads to additional costs and surprises later. Instead, we focus on giving you a fair price once a licensed plumber can assess the job properly.

Call Now

A:

We have a small dispatch fee to send our plumber to your home. They’ll arrive in a truck stocked with thousands of parts, ready to complete most jobs the same day. After a thorough evaluation, your plumber will explain the issue, walk you through the recommended fix, and show you your options and final price. No hourly rates. No surprises. Just a clear, upfront price before any work begins.

Call Now

A:

Yes! We offer FREE in-home estimates for major projects like water heater installations, water softeners, and repiping—without any dispatch fee. Our licensed plumber will assess the job, explain your options, and provide a clear, fixed price. No surprises or hourly rates—just honest, reliable service. Schedule your FREE estimate today!

Call Now

A:

No, our plumbers don’t quote a price until they have seen your plumbing project. Once they quote a price, it doesn’t change, no matter how long it takes. At any time, if you want to add more tasks to your plumbing project, your plumber will let you know how much it would cost to perform the extra work.

Call Now

A:

You can pay for your plumbing service with cash, check, or any major credit card. We collect, in full, upon completion of the project. If you would like to make monthly payments, we do have many financing options available through 3rd party finance companies, OAC. Your plumber can talk to you about your options when they give you pricing options for the work you want completed.

Call Now

Let's text you
that offer!

Enjoy these money-saving offers from Any Hour Services!
consent*