Leaking relief valve on hot water tank - Rheem 50 Gallon FVR NATGAS Water Heater 6YR 22V50F1

If the release valve referred to is the pressure release valve, then a water leak out the attached vent pipe is an indication that the valve is failing. To change the valve, the water must be allowed to cool (turn off AC power or gas) and the water level inside the tank must be lowered (drained) to below the level of the pressure relief valve. Once this is accomplished the vent pipe is unscrewed from the relief valve and the pressure relief valve is unscrewed from the water tank. A new pressure relief valve with a sealant on the threads, is then screwed and tightened into place with the outlet port facing downward. The vent pipe is attached to the new valve and the tank refilled with water. A hot water facet must be opened to allow air to exit while filling. Upon becoming full (water will begin to flow from facet), turn off the facet and restore AC power or gas, therefore allowing the water heater to heat up. When the first hot water is utilized there may be some air expelled from the facet.

Hi,
That is called a pressure relief valve....
If the water gets too hot, the pressure builds too high in the tank or the valve goes bad, it will leak...
Remember that this valve is a SAFETY device!!!
Do NOT plug the valve off...
Find out why it is leaking and get it fixed...

heatman101

Hot water pressure relief valves serve two functions. The first is to remove high-pressure water from the hot water tank. The second function is to act as a high temperature valve to remove water that exceeds a predetermined point for the valve. Both of these relief settings are preset at the valve factory. Many pressure relief valves will come with a metal tag that identifies these release points. If you're attempting to remove the hot water heater pressure relief valve, pay careful attention to ensure that you replace with the correct valve.

Your hot water heater has a pressure relief valve safety mechanism. When pressure inside the water tank exceeds certain limitations, the valve opens up to allow the pressure to be released. A faulty pressure relief valve will not release excess pressure, which could cause extensive damage to your home. You should test the hot water heater pressure relief valve once every six months to ensure proper operation. If the pressure relief valve fails the test, replace the valve with a new one immediately

Locate the pressure relief valve on your hot water heater. The pressure relief valve has a lever handle on top with a drain pipe attached to it. The pressure relief valve is most often on the side of the water tank toward the top. Newer models of hot water heaters have the pressure relief valve on top of the water tank.

Inspect the area around the pressure relief valve for signs of leaking water. If there is leaking water near the relief valve connection, replace the relief valve. If no leaking is evident, proceed with testing the pressure valve.

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Examine the area below the pressure relief valve drain pipe. Most water heater closets either have a drain in the floor below the pipe or the pipe is inserted into another pipe to direct the water out of the home. If the end of your drain pipe is not in another pipe or there is no drain in the floor, place a bucket under the drain pipe to catch water when you test the pressure relief valve.

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Pull the lever handle on the top of the pressure relief valve up with your fingers. A working lever will lift up without difficulty.You should begin to hear water going through the drain pipe. Slowly release the lever to shut off the pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve is good. If you did not hear water running through the drain pipe, lower the lever on the pressure relief valve and replace the valve. If the lever is difficult to raise, do not force the lever. Replace the pressure relief valve.

Now with all that said if you have a closed loop water supply system and you have a pressure vessal/expantion tank it may have gone bad and is making the TP valve leak. you can call your water provider to see if you have closed loop system.

Water heater should be set in a drip pan.
Otherwise, put 1 gallon bucket under TP release pipe to catch water.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-at-bottom-of-water-heater.html#drip-pan

When you say relief valve, I assum you are talking about brass valve located on top of tank or near top of tank. This is TP valve and a pipe connects to this valve and runs down to within 6" of bottom of tank. TP valve has a small lever on it.
If you are talking about tank drain valve located at bottom of tank, then add a comment.
Following information is for TP valve.

Dripping TP valve can be caused by 3 different thing:

1) Obstruction inside TP valve. Open TP valve for a moment to flush away particles and slowly lower lever back down. See if water stops dripping, if not, then replace TP valve

2) Defective TP valve: replace TP valve. Turn off electricity to water heater. Let heater cool for several hours so you do not get scalded. Close shut off valve located above tank on cold side. Open tub spout to relieve pressure, open tank drain or open TP valve and empty water below TP valve level. If TP is located on top of tank, not much water has to be drained. Tank is under press when hot, so be careful. Put teflon tape on new valve and install with big pipe wrench by turning clockwise until TP valve is very tight.

3) Overheating tank. TP valve is temperature-pressure valve. If tank water is over 150 degrees, the TP valve starts drizzling hot water to relieve tank pressure.
Lower tank pressure two different ways:
a) turn down thermostat
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-adjust-water-heater-temperature.html
b) install expansion tank on incoming cold water line
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-at-bottom-of-water-heater.html#expansion-tank

Excessive temperature from running too long will cause relief valve to open. If water temperature is too hot, thermostat & ECO should be changed. They are in behind that little foam cover where the letters are marked on cover. Check that they are up against tank good when you remove foam cover, as that may be the cause as well. They need to be held against tank, by the little coil spring and retainer. If they are against tank good, then replace them.

It's gas operation only, but has electronic ignition for propane. ( just to confirm, if you look at back of water heater, it would have a metal or black plastic cover and hydro cable going in side or top of it.)
There are usually 3 things that may cause pressure relief to leak. 1) Faulty,corroded pressure relief valve, which usually needs to be replaced if it goes faulty. 2) water temperature is getting too hot, which could indicate a faulty thermostat. 3) If your hooked up to city water, the pressure may be too high, causing excess pressure build up in hot water tank, thus pressure relief opens. If your running off your on board pump, this is probably not the cause, as they are usually set at 40 psi.
Ist, - try pulling lever on relief valve slightly open ( careful it's hot !!) to clean out any calcium that may be logged on seal thus causing leak. If that doesn't do it, and the hot water isn't running out steady and appear to be under extreme pressure while leaking, then I'd change the pressure relief valve. Remember when you do, shut off water to system, and relieve pressure by opening a tap, and pressure relief as well after that. New one shouldn't be too expensive, just make sure you get same thread, 1/2"NPT or 3/4"NPT. Use a little teflon tape, or pipe dope whatever you prefer when re-installing as well as clean threads a little before.
If it really starts gushing out pressure relief when heating or heated, and water seems hotter than normal, it's more than likely a faulty thermostat. I'll wait for your reply on what condition your experiencing before I go in to how to change the thermostat.

Hi,
Turn the water off and replace the relief valve...
If there is that much water running out of it the hot water hweater cannot keep up...
Replace the relief valve and then you will have hot water..

heatman101

If you're sure it's the DRAIN, just get a garden hose cap for it (your other option is to replace the valve - drain tank, replace valve, refill).
NEVER CAP THE RELIEF VALVE DRAIN!

Carefully catch some water in a container from pressure relief valve (pull lever slightly) at top of tank, and see if it's up to temperature. If it's hot there, I suspect your by-pass at back of the tank, is faulty. Depending on what by-pass system your using, it may be in wrong position, blocked, or mixing hot and cold. Cold water flows into bottom of tank, and hot out the top. If any valve in between the 2 lines, close it, and make sure valves in and out of bottom and top are open. Let me know what you find, or if water from pressure relief valve is not hot either.

The pressure release valve is a safety feature. If it is leaking alot, it could be that the valve needs to be replaced or it could be that the high temp. shutoff in the hot water tank is malfunctioning.