http://ask.metafilter.com/tags/TPV Questions tagged with 'TPV' at Ask MetaFilter. Tue, 06 May 2008 20:57:56 -0800 Tue, 06 May 2008 20:57:56 -0800 en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://ask.metafilter.com/90737/Help%2Dme%2Dkeep%2Dmy%2Dhot%2Dwater%2Dheater%2Dfrom%2Dexploding What do I need to know to check my temperature and pressure release valve of my electric water heater? I just got a home maintenance book that says hot water heaters can explode if the pressure release valve becomes inoperable. I check one website and it says to check it every 6 months. Talk to another person and they say I'm about to make a huge mistake by checking it at all.<br> <br> I've owned my home for 3 years and the TPV has never been checked and I don't know if it was ever checked by the previous owners. The hot water heater (around 15 years old probably) is in the attic right above my daughter's bedroom. Therefore I'd rather end up with a leak into her bedroom versus a huge explosion above her bedroom.<br> <br> So hivemind, what do I need to know in order to do this properly...especially if there is anything you learned about doing this that might be skipped over in home maintenance books and diy websites? <br> <br> Bonus points for anyone that has stories of an explosion or near explosion that happened to them or someone they know. (Mostly so I can show this person that told me not to check it because they never explode that yes, sometimes they do)<br> <br> Thanks for your help :) tag:ask.metafilter.com,2008:site.90737 Tue, 06 May 2008 20:57:56 -0800 homemaintenance hotwaterheater TPV GlowWyrm