If the water heater thermostat fails to turn off at its temperature setting and continues to heat the water indefinitely the tpr valve will open and let the overheated water out.
Water heater relief valve pipe.
By code you have to run the same size as the opening which means the pipe needs to be 3 4 in diameter.
Place a bucket under the discharge pipe connected to the valve to collect any water and open the t p valve.
Open the drain valve on the water heater then open the hot water tap at a nearby sink to release the vacuum on the tank.
The pipe itself needs to be either copper cpvc or galvanized water piping.
But if the termination of the piping is not readily visible such as if it is located under the house the water will continue to drain until the homeowner gets an amazing electric or gas bill and goes searching for the reason.
Scalding water and steam escape the tank through the valve and tube to relieve the pressure.
The temperature pressure relief valve or tpr valve on any heated appliance that contains water such as a heating boiler hot water tank water heater water cylinder must have a drain line or discharge tube properly installed routed and made of proper materials.
The relief valve on your water heater has a pipe attached.
If the pressure in the tank exceeds 150 psi or the temperature exceeds 210 degrees fahrenheit the tpr valve opens to release the pressure.
How doers get more done.
This valve allows water or steam to escape from the water heater if the temperature or pressure gets.
Building codes require temperature pressure relief tpr valves with discharge pipes on all new water heater installations.
When no water exits the discharge pipe from the t p valve close the drain valve and remove the garden hose.