Reliance water heater – missing T&P relief valve

[Ballman]

, I am not sure if I am writing to the right place. I have a question about my 50 gal gas Reliance Water heater.I was reading though my Modern Home Plumbing book and read the section about water heaters. I noticed it talked about a T&P relief valve. I noticed my heater does not have one. All I see is a plug that looks like a large bolt sticking out. I also noticed that there seems to be rust drip marks running down the side of my heater — like water has dripped and tried. I noticed sediment accumulating near the plug. I do not see significant water damage on my heater from the slight rust marks and It is dry. It almost appears as if it leaked at one time and stopped. Isnt the water heater supposed to have a T&P relief valve? The book explains that this is the most important safety component on the water heater…I am assuming if this is true that I should have one! Any advice?The water heater is approximatley 3 years old now. We purchased this house (that is approximately 5 – 6 years old) as a forclosure. They replaced alot of things and the water heater was one of them. If the valve is SUPPOSED to be there, is there a chance my heater suffered some damage internally since it is not there? If so, how can I check it?

[KATHY OROSParticipant]

The Reliance water heater came with a relief valve originally, so someone must have removed it. It would be on the right side about 6 inches from the top of the heater. It sounds like that is where the plug is located, so it must be missing. You need a long shank relief valve. Home Depot has them and probably Home Base also. If your house is still intact and standing, then you have not had a situation where the relief valve would have been necessary. But you may not be that lucky forever. Get the new valve and install it today.: , I am not sure if I am writing to the right place. I have a question about my 50 gal gas Reliance Water heater.: I was reading though my Modern Home Plumbing book and read the section about water heaters. I noticed it talked about a T&P relief valve. I noticed my heater does not have one. All I see is a plug that looks like a large bolt sticking out. I also noticed that there seems to be rust drip marks running down the side of my heater — like water has dripped and tried. I noticed sediment accumulating near the plug. I do not see significant water damage on my heater from the slight rust marks and It is dry. It almost appears as if it leaked at one time and stopped. Isnt the water heater supposed to have a T&P relief valve? The book explains that this is the most important safety component on the water heater…I am assuming if this is true that I should have one! Any advice?: The water heater is approximatley 3 years old now. We purchased this house (that is approximately 5 – 6 years old) as a forclosure. They replaced alot of things and the water heater was one of them. If the valve is SUPPOSED to be there, is there a chance my heater suffered some damage internally since it is not there? If so, how can I check it?

[KATHY OROSParticipant]

THE RELIEF VALVE IS LOCATED EITHER ON THE TOP OF THE WATER HEATER OR ON THE SIDE NEAR THE TOP.ITS MADE OF BRASS AND IT HAS A SPINGLOADED LEVER TO CHECK IT EVERY SO OFTEN.IT SHOULD HAVE A PIPE ATACHED TO IT RUNNING DOWN TOWARDS THE FLOOR.THE NUT THAT YOU ARE REFERING TO SOUNDS LIKE IT MAY BE THE ANNODE ROD GOING INTO THE WATER HEATER.YES THE RELEIF VALVE IS IMPORTANT.IF THE WATER HEATER MALFUCTIONS AND OVERHEATS WITHOUT A RELIEF VALVE IT COULD BLOW UP,JUST LIKE A BOMB.

[Author]

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