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Leaking hot water pressure relief valve.
November 29, 2017, 07:23 AM
TommydoggLeaking hot water pressure relief valve.
Question for the experienced. I recently worked on an 18 year old hot water heater for a friend. She told me the temperature was not as hot as it was and the pressure relief valve had a slow leak. I checked the water temp at a faucet and it was running about 110F with the thermostats set to 124. To fix both problems, I replaced the 4500 W elements with new elements and thermostats and replaced the pressure relief valve. Now the temp runs pretty true, but the pressure relief valve leaks by a little bit when she uses hot water to shower or do a load of laundry. The thermosts are set to 125. Any ideas? Thanks
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Beth Greene
November 29, 2017, 07:26 AM
Shaqlwhat is the in-house pressure running at?
Does her water tank have an expansion tank?
And to add to that, 18yrs old.... it just may be time...
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November 29, 2017, 07:46 AM
9mmnutIf its going to leak it should leak when hot water is not being used. More pressure when not used vs being in use. Try flipping the spring loaded handle a couple times, maybe it will seat better.
November 29, 2017, 07:50 AM
jimmy123xAt 18 years old, I wouldn't change ANY parts on the water heater. It's way past it's life and needs to be changed. The tank itself is probably leaking and it's just exiting the body where the pressure relief valve exits.
November 29, 2017, 08:19 AM
45 CalI have to agree with Jimmy on this, it is on borrowed time and that floor is fixen to become very wet.
November 29, 2017, 08:36 AM
Gustoferquote:
Originally posted by 45 Cal:
I have to agree with Jimmy on this, it is on borrowed time and that floor is fixen to become very wet.
I learned that $35,000 lesson the hard way. Get rid of it.
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November 29, 2017, 09:30 AM
Excam_ManNew relief, new stats, running at correct temps after installing stats?
Next, would be to check water pressure.
*New one won't fix external problems, it's just a new tank. You've replaced everything else.
November 29, 2017, 12:31 PM
TommydoggNo expansion tank. I don't know the line pressure, but it does not feel excessive. The hot water heater is in the garage, so if it did leak, there would be little if any water damage. I agree, it is old, but it is just a water vessel with new elements and valve. The valve is rated at 210F and 150 PSI. Went it does vent water, its just an ounce or two, not a stream.
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Beth Greene
November 29, 2017, 12:43 PM
WoodmanSometimes we tap on the central pin on the relief valve to better seat the washer. A bit of scale could have gotten under it.
With greater water temperature differences between incoming and heated temp, expansion may be causing the drip.
I keep hearing about expansion tanks on water heaters, but in my house, with 82˚ summer and 33˚ winter cold incoming water, and heating the water pretty durn hot, just me, so the water in the tank often sits? There is never any dripping of my relief valve.
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November 29, 2017, 01:00 PM
MattWAt 18 years she no longer has a water heater, she has a ticking time bomb. Replace it before she has a disaster/home owners claim. Wager a guess that it's in her attic too. No bueno either way, super no bueno if it's in the attic.
November 29, 2017, 01:02 PM
SBrooksWhen mine started getting leaky - it turned out to be the pressure regulator where the water entered the house...
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SBrooks
November 29, 2017, 01:51 PM
selogicAnode rod is probably gone at this point . A ton of crud on the bottom of the tank . No doubt you stirred up some of that crud . Did you flush the tank by chance ?
November 29, 2017, 04:00 PM
MikeinNCFlush the tank and replace the anode. And flush the valve too...its just got some gunk under the seat and that's why it's leaking.
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Balzé Halzéquote:
Originally posted by MattW:
At 18 years she no longer has a water heater, she has a ticking time bomb. Replace it before she has a disaster/home owners claim. Wager a guess that it's in her attic too. No bueno either way, super no bueno if it's in the attic.
quote:
Originally posted by Tommydogg:
The hot water heater is in the garage, so if it did leak, there would be little if any water damage.
~Alan
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Excam_Manquote:
Originally posted by Tommydogg:
I don't know the line pressure, but it does not feel excessive.
Test gauge from HD and test it. Screws on a garden hose fitting.
November 29, 2017, 05:14 PM
r0gueIn my experience, once those valves go, they never stay sealed again.
November 29, 2017, 05:47 PM
Balzé Halzéquote:
Originally posted by r0gue:
In my experience, once those valves go, they never stay sealed again.
Me too. But this is apparently a new relief valve.
~Alan
Acta Non Verba
NRA Life Member (Patron)
God, Family, Guns, Country
Men will fight and die to protect women... because women protect everything else. ~Andrew Klavan
"Once there was only dark. If you ask me, light is winning." ~Rust Cohle November 29, 2017, 05:48 PM
TommydoggI talked to her today and priced out a new hot water heater, expansion tank and floor plan. Not as bad a hit as originally thought. I will get a gauge however and check line pressure as recommended. I did check mine out in the garage, it's only seven years old with an expansion tank and there is sign of water leakage.
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Beth Greene
November 29, 2017, 05:55 PM
sigcrazy7You might consider getting her a cold water heater.
I recently installed two water heaters in some of my apartments. One of the new heaters had a TPR valve that wouldn't seal. Sometimes brand new stuff is defective from the git.
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