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Natural Gas Water Heater Repairs

TPR Valve The  (Temperature Pressure Relief) also  known as a T&P valve, pop-off valve,  or just relief valve, is a safety  device that releases water if the pressure or temperature reach unsafe levels.  There is a manual release lever located on the relief valve. Relief valves  should be periodically tested by lifting the manual release lever at least once a year. Due to the scalding potential of the discharge from the T&P valve, the outlet from the valve should be piped to a safe  area. Typically they are piped down to within 6 inches of the floor or even  outside of the dwelling at near ground level.  Check with your local building department for local building code requirements. Anode The sacrificial anode is a metal rod usually magnesium or aluminum which helps prevent corrosion of  the tank. Electrolysis  eats away the anode (hence the word sacrificial) instead of the steel of the tank. Once the anode is gone the tank itself begins to corrode.  The anode is  screwed into the top of the water heater and can be replaced.  Sometimes the anode is built into a special hot water outlet fitting. Softened water can cause the anode to wear out more quickly. Dip Tube The dip tube directs incoming cold water to the  bottom of the tank, preventing pre-mature mixing of incoming cold water with the  out going hot water.  Without the dip tube it may be difficult to get hot water even when the tank is full of hot water. Sometimes the dip tube is curved at the bottom causing a swirling motion in the bottom of the water heater to reduce sediment buildup, or making it easier to remove the sediment through the drain  valve. NOTE: SACRAMENTO, CA — The state  Department of Consumer Affairs is warning residents that a little-known device  in their home water heaters may be faulty, causing damage to heaters and  plumbing, including point-of-use water treatment equipment. The water-heater dip  tube delivers cold water from an external water source to the bottom of the heater. Perfection Corp. of Madison, OH, manufacturer of virtually all dip tubes  used in the United States, produced an unknown number of defective tubes between  1993 and 1996. These tubes can decompose, sending tiny particles of plastic and sludge through the plumbing system.  This in turn can clog the faucet aerators  and screens causing low water pressure at the fixtures.