Water Heaters - Gas Water Heater Pressure Release Valve

I recently had problems with my 11 year old 40 gallon gas water heater. The pilot light was going out and the supply of heated water wasn't up to snuff. I have a home insurance policy, and I called in a repairman to fix it. Turns out the water heater needed to be replaced. Under the policy, it will be replaced free of charge. Sounds great... I thought. The representative told me that my current water heater (located in my garage that is directly adjacent to my house) was not "up-to-code." He said that I lacked a pressure release valve that needed to be installed with the new water heater. He admitted that it was uncommon, but he said the valve prevents overheating and a possible "explosion." At the end of his explanation, he offered to provide and install a new water heater as part of the policy, but he has added an additional charge of $180 to install and connect a permanent pressure release valve.

I don't know much about this kind of stuff at all...

Am I being ripped off? What can I do? What should I do?

$180 dollars to install a pressure relief valve! You bet your azz you are being ripped. Most water heaters nowdays come with them already installed. You have to check out what your policy says. [BTW you must have this valve on your water heater or you will create a bomb!]. Lots of luck,don't let them fuzk you.

I have never seen a residential gas water heater not have a TPV (temp pressure valve) already installed from the factory. What does often needs installing is the down tube for it. This is nothing more than a piece of pipe that will bring the outlet close to the floor. Not something that shoud cost that amount of money.

I was struck by what you wrote.

Any residential water heater sold is required to have a T&P valve factory installed under both gas codes. I'm curious about what valve you actually had installed for the price you stated.

Did anyone mention a gas re-set valve for overheating? With this type of application, you need a seperate pressure relief valve and this is installed somewhere else on the water supply system.

Just curious...be sure to have your water heater inspected by the city. Should be part of the job.

Good luck...

For many, many years, there have been federal, state and local requirements that all water heated be FACTORY EQUIPPED with the T/P valve. Personally I have never seen one without the T/P, unless someone removed it.

Now, it is quite possible that the discharge line from yours does not meet current codes, as this area has been tightened up. If you situation required the installation of a Watts 210, that can be pricey. The 210 will run over $100, and modifications to the gas piping at the WH would add quite a bit.

If you could post a picture of your set-up, we would have a better idea.

Even if it doesn't come with the water heater, it's something like a $10 part hat you can easily put in yourself.. They are trying to rip you off.

Might be a $10 part, but most contractors get $10 a linear foot to run the drip leg (discharge line) either out to grade or whatever is required by the local codes pertaining to that particular install.

I don't charge that much......but that is what the average is to make money on the upgrades of installs. :eek: