What is this and how can I get it to stop leaking?

[lacofdfireman]

So today I was messing with my Water heater trying to get it to fire up and I pulled on what appears to be some sort of pressure relief inside this compartment. So I opened it up and flowed some water and now it wont stop leaking. Do I need to replace this or is there some way to get it to stop. I would assume it's probably got some serious calcium deposits or something and not allowing it to close all the way. Any ideas? Is this a DIY fix? Looks like it would just twist off...

[OnaQuest]

Open it up and let it snap shut a couple times. This will usually clear anything that may have gotten in the valve seat to make it leak. If it continues to leak, just replace it.

[danager]

If it started leaking on its own, I would recommend replacing it. Because you opened the valve and now it continues to leak a bit, this may not be as serious.

You could try this absolutely FREE procedure.

Take a pair of needle nose players and push in on the stem that was pulled out when you flipped the lever up.

[LongWeekends]

As others said, a pressure relief valve. Typically if it is leaking, it is on its way out. It is an inexpensive but very important safety feature. It it were me, I would replace it and not worry about fixing it.

[pkunk]

Most home P&T valves are 3/4"NPT while all the RV ones have been 1/2" NPT

[downtheroad]

Pressure relief valve...very important safety feature.

Try this first:

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.

If this doesn't work, replace the valve...very simple. Home Depot, Lowes. a wrench and some teflon tape on the treads.

[wkswenson]

Pressure Relief valve

1. Try opening and closing it to clear it out (might just be some junk stuck in the valve.
2. Check temps if it only leaks when hot - could be either worn out or running too hot.
3. Replace - RV Dealer or Lowes/Home Depot should have one.