Hot water release valve

As further a cautionary note, it should be added, since the OP asked if he can bypass it, (I assume he's talking about the pressure/temp relief valve) that modifying or eliminating the valve will effective turn your water heater into a bomb if the temp controls malfunction. Anything that heats or boils water NEEDS to have a relief valve. The destructive power of hot water/steam under pressure can be devastating. It's recommended that the valve be actuated several times every year to make sure it's still in working order.

IBDTrader wrote:
Thanks donn. that worked. Have running water. What a great life.

What worked.......?

Replacing it or re-establishing the air pocket??

Moved from Forum Technical Support

Thanks donn. that worked. Have running water. What a great life.

donn0128 has a good suggestion.

or...you could try reestablishing the air pocket at the top of the tank.

Water Heater Air Pocket:
Shut off the water supply, open the relief valve until water stop coming out, close it, turn the water supply back on.
This will reestablish the air pocket in the water heater, giving the water some place to expand to when it is heated.

Go buy a new one at any big box store. Should take no time at all to replace