It just started doing this a few days ago. It SEEMS as if the pressure release valve is doing what it's supposed to - releasing pressure by allowing some water to leak out, but WHY would it the pressure suddenly be high? There is a pressure relief tank on the top of the heater. Could it be that the tank is not operating, thus forcing the pressure relief valve to kick in? Is it worth replacing the relief tank alone, or should I just pony up the $500 to have a whole new heater installed?
2007-06-11 05:18:12 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
try draining the expansion tank(press. relief tank)if this tank gets water logged it can,t do it,s job by providing thermal expansion for your water heater.close off the valve leading to this tank and open the drain valve this is a timely process due to trying to get air back up into the tank.also check your temp. setting it shouldn't be over 120 degrees. the tell tale sign of a hot water heater getting ready to go is rusty water leaking from the tank.
2007-06-11 08:14:20 · answer #1 · answered by john v 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water Heater Leaking Into Pan
2017-01-09 19:03:53 · answer #2 · answered by heuss 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To begin, are you sure that it's the relief valve that's leaking and not a problem with the tank itself? How high do you have the hot water set? You might want to make sure that it's set no higher than 120 degrees. The only reason you'd want to replace the entire tank is if it's the tank itself that's leaking due to rust-through etc. Unless you're fairly handy, I'd suggest contacting a reliable plumbing contractor to do an inspection of the installation, request prices for replacing (or clearing) the tanke above the unit, as well as a price for a new tank-mounted pressure relief valve. Mineral deposits or rust could be affecting one (or both) of the pressure relief systems.
2007-06-11 05:35:23 · answer #3 · answered by jameshelwig_2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem is probably just a bad pressure release valve. It's just a spring tension valve. Over years the spring gets weak and releases at a lighter pressure.
On the release valve is a lever, push straight in on it and see if the leaking stops.
Do not pull lever out because if valve is bad, it may not reseat. Then you will have a worse leak. Just try to push in on it.
Replacing that valve is not difficult, but you will have to let heater cool down as to not release hot water everywhere. It is only screwed on plus a plumbing thread seal.
2007-06-11 05:30:28 · answer #4 · answered by awake 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the heater is less than 10 years old it is worth repairing. You say the T&P valve is leaking so you just need to replace it. You can buy a new one at a plumbing shop.
Sometimes these valves get a lot of corrosion and start to leak. This is very easy to replace so don't worry.
2007-06-11 05:32:29 · answer #5 · answered by mike b 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
May just need to replace the pressure release valve. The expansion tank is probably fine. If water heater itself is not leaking, I would not replace it.
2007-06-11 05:28:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, sometimes the pressure and temperture valve fails and leaks. So, you might be able to just replace it. If everything else is fine with your heater, there is no need to replace the whole unit.
2007-06-11 05:37:17 · answer #7 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually, a leaking hot water tank is a tell tale sign that it's ready to go....! I would definetly invest in a new one SOON. Since you know that when something like that goes it's generally on a holiday/Sunday or any other time a plumber gets overtime to fix it..... !!!!
2007-06-11 05:31:21 · answer #8 · answered by pebblespro 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The municipal water system is LOADED with chemicals. The heated water just exasperates the problem. The tank is probably full of crud and this is causing your problem.
You might as well just get a new tank. This one's done.
2007-06-11 05:23:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
saddle up and buy a new one, that one's shot. the tank is rusted out.
2007-06-11 07:11:25 · answer #10 · answered by dirtdevil216 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋