Old And Now New Water Heater Leaks From Pressure Relief Valve

Shockwave

Hey guys

Figured i was ask you official plumbers a question about something thats been bugging me. my old water heater was discharging from the relief valve ever since i bought the house(less than a year ago) then it finally crapped out on me(tank leak, nothing major though) so i replaced it with a new one, the new one discharges out of the relief valve also it seems whenever the tank is filling up, is this just cause of the water expanding when being heated or to much pressure coming in? There is a black knob type of unit about 3 feet up on the first 90 coming down into the water heater, i thought that was the pressure regulator or whatnot.

Any help appreciated..


(PS , its not like the water is pooring out, i have a 5 gallon bucket and it needs to be emptied montly it seems)

KillerToiletSpider

Install an expansion tank on the cold inlet of the water heater and your problem will disappear.

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Teetorbilt

Since the advent of backflow preventers this is fairly common. Adding on an expansion tank should solve the problem. See here http://www.nextag.com/water-heater-e...nk/search-html

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Bill

I agree with KillerToilet and teetorbilt. What happens is when a back flow valve or check valve is installed the pressure from the heating water in your tank expands and has no where to go exept out the T&P. Installing the expansion tank will remedy this problem as it gives the expanding water somewhere to go.

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Putty Truck

Check your water pressure, man. It may be so high that's its popping the T&P valve.

Call a licensed plumber...like right now.

Ron The Plumber

FYI

Just installing a expansion may not solve your problem, you have to know how they work, knowledge about residual pressure and static pressure play a key role on the proper installation of this tank, I won't get into what it's all about since this is not a DIY site.

JamesNLA

I was going to say the same thing as Ron...An expansion tank WILL NOT solve the problem unless one knows if there is even a BF preventer or a check installed. Check the pressure but first call a plumber who knows what they are doing...

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mahlere

are there any?

Putty Truck

Hey, I fixed your post as we all know that a electrician wouldn't be foolish enough to insult his betters.

I was going to flame the op, but sometimes ya gotta wonder if a post is serious (like I know you weren't) and a flippant answer may cause bodily harm.

Double-A

No, but the second day of plumbing school we're all issued a list of sparky's to call that do know, so we're covered.

The fact that someone put a regulator at the water heater is the second clue that something is not right with the pressure in this home.

The leaking T&P is a symptom, not the problem. Installing an expansion tank may make the symptom go away, but it might not fix the problem. There is more going on here than you're seeing and its time to let a competent plumber take a look and see what has been done and why, and how to best correct it.

Now, its possible that 'black know thingie 'coming' down into the water heater might be a tempering valve and not a regulator. Again, this is why a competent plumber should take a look (preferable one that has Mahlere on speed dial).

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JamesNLA

Oh look at that...how cute.....She's trying to grow a pair. It really is fun to watch. Good luck with that growing up thing. We all know your a bit challanged

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"....And then we all switch places when I ring the bell"
-Adrock

Shockwave

Thanks for the info, My buddy has been a plumber for about 25 years but have not had him over to check it out yet. He pretty much said the same thing as all of you.

This only happens AFTER the tank has been run down a bit, like after a shower or two.

Putty Truck

So after a shower or two, you go and check to see if your thingy is leaking. Good show. We all should make sure our thingy don't leak.

JamesNLA

my thinggy leaks....a few times a week if things go well.

__________________
"....And then we all switch places when I ring the bell"
-Adrock

mahlere

sorry i hit a nerve, i wasn't even aiming at you...get that electrical license yet?

my point was this thread has several presumably well versed plumbers (and a couple of questionable characters) who can't agree on what the problem is or how to fix it...

JamesNLA

Oh ok...my bad. It was a general insult.

No I need another 300 hrs to be eligible for my Journy card. I've been crazy busy. I have all but given up on my GC. Too tired to study too busy to need it.
...and yes there are some characters on this forum. Adds to the dynamic and laughter from what some people come up with!

__________________
"....And then we all switch places when I ring the bell"
-Adrock

Double-A

Shockwave, did you get this problem addressed?

__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006