Water Heaters - 2 Water heaters in house - one leaking at T&P
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twellis
05-31-05, 03:19 PM
Our house has two gas water heaters. One feeds the kitchen & laundry. The other feeds the bathrooms. We just replaced the one that feeds the bathrooms and the T&P valve has been leaking since then. We then replaced the valve and it still leaks with a constant drip (probably 5 gallons a day). I've read suggestions to add the expansion tank, but I don't understand why the old water heater didn't leak, but the new one does. Any suggestions?
majakdragon
05-31-05, 04:01 PM
twellis, Welcome to the DIY Forums.
Start with the obvious. Lower the temperature setting on the water heater. Your new heater may be more efficient than the old one and is getting hot enough to set off the T/P valve. This is the first thing to check. Watch this post for more suggestions. Good luck.
Start with the obvious. Lower the temperature setting on the water heater. Your new heater may be more efficient than the old one and is getting hot enough to set off the T/P valve. This is the first thing to check. Watch this post for more suggestions. Good luck.
Ejbogusch
05-31-05, 07:53 PM
A fairly accurate rule of thumb I use is if the T&P valve drips it is most likely a pressure problem, if it is a steady flow then it is a temp. problem. New T&P valves rarely go bad yet it is the first thing that everyone changes.
Invest in a water pressure gauge which can be purchase at your local hardware store for under ten bucks. Screw it on to the hose bib on the water heater and check your pressure. Since most regulators max out at 75 psi this should be your not to exceed pressure with your reading. If it is over 75 psi you should consider changing your homes pressure regulator. If it is over 100 psi you should make this mandatory. Don't be afraid to leave your gauge on the heater during the heating cycle since this can increase tank pressure. We could get into closed systems but a properly working regulator with a bypass should take care of this problem.
Just today I went out to replace a leaking water heater for a customer but first measured his water pressure which I found to be in excess of 120 psi. The customer complained this was his 3rd heater in 14 months and blamed the manufacturer. The real problem lied with the previous plumbers not checking the water pressure.
Depending how old your old water heater was the reason the T&P valve might of not leaked was it was scaled up or some other way defective. Very common with older heaters.
High water pressure can cause faucets to leak, damage dish washers, break pipes in foundations or in walls, and damage laundry machines.
If it is a over heating problem then this can be measured with a thermometer.
Invest in a water pressure gauge which can be purchase at your local hardware store for under ten bucks. Screw it on to the hose bib on the water heater and check your pressure. Since most regulators max out at 75 psi this should be your not to exceed pressure with your reading. If it is over 75 psi you should consider changing your homes pressure regulator. If it is over 100 psi you should make this mandatory. Don't be afraid to leave your gauge on the heater during the heating cycle since this can increase tank pressure. We could get into closed systems but a properly working regulator with a bypass should take care of this problem.
Just today I went out to replace a leaking water heater for a customer but first measured his water pressure which I found to be in excess of 120 psi. The customer complained this was his 3rd heater in 14 months and blamed the manufacturer. The real problem lied with the previous plumbers not checking the water pressure.
Depending how old your old water heater was the reason the T&P valve might of not leaked was it was scaled up or some other way defective. Very common with older heaters.
High water pressure can cause faucets to leak, damage dish washers, break pipes in foundations or in walls, and damage laundry machines.
If it is a over heating problem then this can be measured with a thermometer.