Replace T&P Valve on Water Heater?

[delfini]

We replaced the pipe that takes the hot water from the water heater tank and had no problem. While doing that we noticed the t&p valve and instructions to open it once a year. Bought the house new 7 years ago and had never done this. We opened the valve and after that we have very low water pressure in the kitchen only the baths are fine. The kitchen is the closest fixture to the water heater. Should we replace the t&p valve or is there some other reason for the low pressure. After opening the t&p it took about a day for it to stop dripping but it finally stopped. Any suggestion welcomed!

[jadnashua]

You might have stirred up some sediment in the tank. Try unscrewing the strainer on the kitchen faucet - it is probably clogged. My unprofessional opinion.

[Gary Swart]

I agree with Jim, there's nothing about a TP valve that will affect your pressure, and since the lack of pressure is just at one outlet, a clogged screen is the likely problem. I'd go ahead and clean all the screens in the house.

[delfini]

Thanks for the advice. I did clean the screen in the kitchen. There was some sediment but it did not make a noticable difference. I had a feeling that the valve might not be the problem but did not know much about it. There possibly is a clog some where else.

[Mike Swearingen]

If you have a sudden pressure-lowering clog at a faucet and it isn't the aerator screen, it usually is sscale or sediment lodged in the faucet body itself.
Turn the water off to the faucet, and dissassemble it. Lay a towel over the faucet and turn the water on very briefly to flush it out.
That will usually clear it.
Good luck!
Mike

[hj]

If the pressure is low and does not change much no matter whether the hot, cold, or both faucets are opened, then it is somewhere in the faucet itself. If you have a side hose the diverter is usually the problem.