Replacing the Temperature & Pressure Relief Valve

[Tim5055]

Well, on our last trip of the season in December the T&P relief valve went bad on lour hot water heater. So, for the last two days at Disney hot water was at a premium.

I finally had time (now that the house work is done) to fix it today.

It is a fairy simple procedure IF you have the correct tools.  On a home water heater the T&P relief valve is out in the open so it is a straight forward operation to put a pipe wrench on it and pull it out (remember righty tighty, lefty loosey).  Now, take a look at your PU HWH.  It is recessed into the side of the camper so that you can't put a standard pipe wrench on it.  What you need is called a "basin wrench (link for illustration purposes, I have no idea who this store is)".  It has a swiveling head on a long handle to allow you to reach into the recessed area and unscrew the valve.

After you remove the old one, stop by a plumbing supply house or Home Improvement store like Home Depot (disclosure statement, I have stock in HD ) and get an EXACT match.  This match should be size, shape, pressure rating and temperature rating.  Don't get one that is close, get the exact match.  A HWH with a non functional T&P valve is a bomb! HD had mine and it was about $6.50.

Until I can put together a web page directed to pop up campers, here is a link to a site showing how to replace one on a home HWH

[Tim5055]

FYI, while surfing I just saw a special wrench for removing the T&P valve on an RV water heater.  I thought I'd remember the site, but guess what.....


Well, just understand there is a special tool available, but it was around $35 rather than $15 for a basin wrench.

[chasd60]

I was able to change mine with a good old pair of channel-lock pliers. No slip but a hard squeeze. Got my replacement TPR valve from the local heating oil supplier, they sell HWH's as well.