Some in our company are tasked with inspecting plumbing systems in client's homes. When should we & should we not "exercise" these valves?

Reason for the question: I was called out to client's home to discern why the drain pan under a 4 year old WH had water in it after another person from same company went out to inspect and flush the WH's.

I called the tech and asked if he exercised the valves. Yes, he did and no there was not water in the pan when he left.

I wound up putting a new valve in and rerouting the discharge piping over the pan and down close to garage floor.

I would like to eliminate this kind of problem for those times when I am doing the inspections.

the T-PSRV is tested annually - PERIOD

the discharge pipe must terminate in a safe VISIBLE location where it will do no damage when discharging - PERIOD

the valve is replaced as needed - PERIOD

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

Exactly, and some companies recommend that their technicians test the T&P valve on every visit to a home.

after 8 years or so it would make sense just to replace the T&P valve (dripping or not).
The sensing probe and internals are likely corroded or covered in limescale.

I haven't had one customer tell me they check their T&P valve regularly or at all.
I do get calls when they are dripping and it's usually a symptom of thermal expansion.

I have been plumbing in homes since the late 60's and started my own business in the early 70's.
the next relief valve I test will be my FIRST.

Thank you for all of the info



Edited 1 times.

I am not a plumber but I own rental properties.

I do a 20 minute "maintenance visit" every 30-45 days to all of them. To test smoke/fire alarms (and change back up batteries if necessary), to change the air conditioning filters, and to test/flush the WH T&P valves. Every three months I exercise all shutoffs to all fixtures, main shutoff, hot and cold faucets, toilet supply valves, WH inlet valves etc... by turning them on and off a number of times.