Today stopped at a house to set a radon monitor and take a water sample prior to the inspection Saturday. When there is a water softener, I need to take a 'raw' sample from the pressure tank. I turned the drain valve (red in the picture) a quarter turn. Water came out full-force. Turning the valve back to its original position had no effect. The valve stayed wide-open. Crap! The shut-off valve is on the house side of the drain valve, so that was useless. I was in the house about 5 minutes and didn't know the layout, plus it was an odd contemporary. Luckily, I found the breaker panel and got the pump breaker turned off pretty quickly. Luck was also with me, because there was a nearby utility sink that allowed me to open a faucet to help relieve pressure. A nearby Tupperware bowl and tub allowed me to collect the water as it continued to drain out. Eventually it stopped. There was a lot of water on the floor, but it stayed around the pressure tank. I carry a few hose thread caps in my tool bag, but unfortunately I didn't have my bag with me. I drove to K Mart a few miles away, but wouldn't you know it, they didn't have any caps. I ended up buying a lawn sprinkler just to get the cap that was on it. Back to the house, put the cap on, turn the breaker on, go upstairs and bleed the air out of the lines, go back down to check the valve, and find all is good. As I was leaving, the wife pulls up. I explained what happened and gave her my cell number in case her husband had any questions. A few hours later, I get a call - not from him, but from his agent. The agent said the guy is furious that I 'broke his tank'. I explained to the agent that I didn't break anything by turning a valve a quarter turn and I don't intend to pay for it. I also added that I thought the seller should be thankful that I prevented any water damage being done to the house (the finished part of the basement is a few feet away from the pressure tank). I tried t call the guy to talk to him directly, but the phone just rang and rang. So I'm curious, would anyone offer to pay for the valve replacement? Click to Enlarge 39.87 KB