Water Heater Relief Device

NO! This indicates water pressure is too high and/or failure of the regulator.

No. You need to replace it. Simple and easy.

No, it isn't normal but if the water heater is heating the water too hot it will open to release pressure.

The water heater will lose the air pocket over time, when that happens the pressure can go up and cause a release of water. You need to re-establish the the air pocket by draining the tank and refilling. If that doesn't cure the problem. replace the T&P valve.

Lynnmor is correct about air pocket. Atwood seem to have this problem more than Suburban. No need to drain entire tank.

try this:
1. Turn off the water heater.
2. Turn off the cold water supply line.
3. Open a faucet in the RV.
4. Pull out the handle of the pressure relief (P&T) valve and allow water to flow from the valve until it stops.
5. Release the handle on the P&T valve - it should snap closed.
6. Close the faucet and turn on the cold water supply. As the tank fills, the air pocket will develop. Repeat this procedure as often as needed to reduce the frequency of the weeping P&T valve.

Open and close the relief handle a few times. Be careful with the hot water coming out. Quick bursts.

Several years ago when we were back from the winter I removed the relief valve and soaked it in vinagar for 2 days. Looked new and no leaks. Had many old timers not know about the air chamber. Thermostat can make water too hot and valve will drop. Chevman

The relief valve is doing its job and is functioning correctly. IT DOES NOT NEED REPLACING. As the water heats it expands. In the small RV system, there is little room for that expansion to be absorbed, so the water heater is supposed to have an air pocket that can be compressed by the expansion. Remember, air can be compressed, but water cannot. You can solve the leaking relief valve problem by doing three things: 1. install an expansion relief tank, 2. re-establish the air pocket in the water hater, or 3. merely open a hot water spigot (valve) in the RV.

OP , there you go , plenty of answers , but yes they do get bad . Mine started dripping , replaced it , and no more dripping . As far as the air pocket and all that , never had those issues or had to do all that draining and whatever . All that has been mentioned could happen it sounds like . I just replaced it .

I have found over the years that IF they start leaking there usually are 2 ways to go ( in my eyes)
1- open and close the valve a few times, sometimes a small piece of debris will be stuck there allowing for a leak..
2- more likely you will have to replace the valve, which is quick, easy and painless.