How much does a water heater relief valve cost to replace?
Updated
Short answer
Testing the water heater pressure relief valve costs nothing and takes 5 to 10 minutes. If the test shows the valve has failed, a new valve costs $0 to $30 to buy, and a plumber charges $100 to $200 to replace it, including draining the tank enough to get the old one out. The test is free insurance; the replacement is the occasional cost of a valve that's done its job for years.
Cost breakdown
| Item | DIY | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $0 to $30 | included |
| Tools you may need to buy | none | included |
| Labor | your time | $100 to $200 |
| Total | $0 to $30 | $100 to $200 |
The DIY cost is zero for the test and the price of a valve if one is needed. A bucket is the only equipment, and a wrench for the replacement. The plumber's price covers draining the tank, removing the old valve, fitting the new one and refilling.
What drives the cost
- Whether the valve fails the test. Most tests cost nothing and end there. A valve that won't lift, won't reseat, or doesn't release water is the one that costs money.
- The valve's size and rating. Valves are matched to the heater's capacity and pressure rating, and the common sizes are cheap. An unusual one costs more and may need ordering.
- The real cause of a drip. A new valve that keeps dripping points at high house pressure, and the fix is a pressure regulator, which is a separate and larger job.
- Access and corrosion. A valve on an old tank with corroded threads takes longer to remove, and a plumber's price grows with the struggle.
- Bundling. A plumber already there for a flush or an anode rod swaps the valve for less than a separate call.
DIY vs. pro
The test is yours to do, every time: how often to test the water heater pressure relief valve is once a year, and it costs nothing but a bucket and a few minutes. Replacing the valve is a moderate job within reach of a handy owner who can drain a tank partway and work a wrench on hot threads.
Hire the plumber when the valve is seized, when the fitting looks corroded, when the tank is old, or when the drip continues after a new valve, which means the problem is the house pressure. At $100 to $200 the replacement is reasonable, and the plumber will tell you whether the drip was the valve or the pressure behind it.
FAQ
How much does a water heater relief valve cost?
$0 to $30 for the valve itself. The common sizes are cheap and stocked at any hardware store.
How much does it cost to replace a relief valve?
$100 to $200 for a plumber, including draining the tank partway. Doing it yourself costs the price of the valve.
Does it cost anything to test the relief valve?
No. Lift the lever with a bucket under the discharge pipe and let it snap back. The only cost comes if the test shows the valve has failed.
Why does my new relief valve still drip?
The house water pressure is too high, and the valve is doing its job. A pressure regulator on the main line is the fix.