Okay, it is a two to three year old electric water heater and this evening the relief valve tripped and dumped a limited amount of water. I have no clue as to why it tripped, it never has before. The down pipe from the relief valve is still dripping even thought I have opened and closed the valve several times.
1.) I know that the relief valve is both pressure and temperature sensitive but what is your best guess of why it tripped in the first place? 2.) Is it the nature of these relief valves to not totally re-seat once they have tripped?It didn't do any damage for three reasons. First, it let out a limited amount of water. Secondly, the down pipe is very close to a floor drain. And finally, we have a water alarm near that floor drain and it went off and we just happened to be home.
Unless most all of you think that something is messed up with the water heater I plan to just replace the relief valve in the morning and let it go at that. Although I never do, I just might shut it off when we leave for warmer weather this winter.
Happy Holidays,
Don