Re: Re: HOT WATER HEATER LEAKING


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Posted by mike on January 14, 1998 at 18:58:02:

In Reply to: Re: HOT WATER HEATER LEAKING posted by Hill on January 04, 1998 at 04:49:58:


: : on the top center of our water heater is a pipe coming out and going down the side of the unit. over the past few months it has been dripping water. it seems to be doing this more and more. we have to keep a bucket under it to collect the water. does any one know why this is doing this? please help

: It's the temperature and pressure valve (T&P valve). Either temp or pressure or both is too high. They can open up to relieve, let's say pressure, get debris in them and continue to leak. With the bucket underneath lift the lever on top and let water out - do this a few times. It may stop the leaking. You can replace the valve. Unless your water temp has changed and gotten really hot - my vote is that your whole house pressure reducing valve is going bad (PRV valve). This often starts T&P valves leaking. Hill
hello I'm a plumber out of n.j. the problem your having can be a few different things
( TROUBLESHOOTING T&P VALVES)
1) PURCHASE A WATER PRESSURE TEST GUAGE
2) INSTALL TEST GUAGE ON DRAIN VALVE LOCATED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE WATER HEATER AND TURN VALVE ON.
3) OPEN A HOT WATER FAUCET FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS TO DROP ANY EXPANDED PRESSURES IF ANY
4) SHUT OFF FAUCET AND READ PRESSURE ON GUAGE NOTE: PRESSURE ON T&P VALVE IS SET FOR150 lb ANYTHING CLOSE OR OVER THAT WILL CAUSE VALVE TO DRIP
5) IF PRESSURE IS NORMAL BETWEEN 65 AND 70LBS THEN THE NEXT STEP IS (IF YOU HAVE A PRESSURE REDUCER INSTALLED AT YOUR WATER METER)TURN YOUR TEMP GUAGE ALL THE WAY TO VERY HOT (LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HEATER ON GAS VALVE )NOW WATCH YOUR TEST GUAGE IF YOUR PRESSURE STARTS TO RISE YOU HAVE A THERMAL EXPANSION PROBLEM WHICH IS CAUSED WHEN YOU CREATE A CLOSED SYSTEM ON A HOT WATER SYSTEM ( PRV VALVE CREATES A CLOSED SYSTEM)TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM YOU'LL NEED TO INSTALL A ST-5 EXPANSION TANK ON COLD WATER INLET FOR 40 GALLON HEATERS AND 50 GALLON HEATERS REQUIRE A ST-12 ON THE COLD WATER INLET THESE TANKS ARE USUALLY INSTALLED BY A LICENSED PLUMBER NOW IF YOU DONT HAVE HIG WATER PRESSURE OVER 80LBS (N.J. CODE)AND YOU DONT HAVE THERMAL EXPANSION YOU PROBABLY HAVE A BAD T&P VALVE AND ANY HOMEOWNER COULD CHANGE THAT WITH A PAIR OF CHANNELLOCK PLIERS AND 5.00 DOLLARS FOR THE VALVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FEEL FREE TO E MAIL ME AT MC0114@AOL.COM



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