Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - hot water heat system too much pressure
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04-19-01, 08:00 PM
I have a hot water heat system in my home, and have a peerless gas/boiler furnace. Over the past
week I have noticed an excessive amount of gurgling and popping in the pipes as the water flows
(when heat kicks in).
Last night while in bed I heard a pop that was louder than usual. The next morning my wife asked me if I heard water
leaking. Checked the furnace and a steady stream of hot
water was being released by the pressure relief valve.
Thought maybe it had blown or something, but when checking the pressure gauge it showed 30 psi, which is the rating for the valve. (so I assumed it was doing it's job properly by releasing excess pressure?) I've since shut off the whole system.
What would cause the sudden increase in pressure?
(we haven't had any problems with the heating system before this)
I turned on everything again today, and the furnace kicked in and started heating the house, but again, the pressure
steadily rose to 30psi and the valve is still leaking
(actually started leaking at 10psi this time)
Could it have something to do with air in the system?
Would that increase the pressure? Maybe the expansion tank needs recharging? (if so, is that something simple, or something a professional would have to do?) I will probably call a plumber tomorrow (I shut the system down again until I can get it repaired)
but figured I'd post the problem in case it may be something
simple I can do to fix myself. (hope!)
week I have noticed an excessive amount of gurgling and popping in the pipes as the water flows
(when heat kicks in).
Last night while in bed I heard a pop that was louder than usual. The next morning my wife asked me if I heard water
leaking. Checked the furnace and a steady stream of hot
water was being released by the pressure relief valve.
Thought maybe it had blown or something, but when checking the pressure gauge it showed 30 psi, which is the rating for the valve. (so I assumed it was doing it's job properly by releasing excess pressure?) I've since shut off the whole system.
What would cause the sudden increase in pressure?
(we haven't had any problems with the heating system before this)
I turned on everything again today, and the furnace kicked in and started heating the house, but again, the pressure
steadily rose to 30psi and the valve is still leaking
(actually started leaking at 10psi this time)
Could it have something to do with air in the system?
Would that increase the pressure? Maybe the expansion tank needs recharging? (if so, is that something simple, or something a professional would have to do?) I will probably call a plumber tomorrow (I shut the system down again until I can get it repaired)
but figured I'd post the problem in case it may be something
simple I can do to fix myself. (hope!)
fjrachel
04-19-01, 08:22 PM
Your system may have more than one problem. Yes, air in the system can cause your syptoms, but so can a few other problems. I would call a pro, watch carefully, ask questions, and listen. The information you will get from a qualified boiler tech will be worth the price of the service call.
04-21-01, 06:56 PM
ok first off the fact that you said you heard air in the lines all of the sudden points me the the expansion tank , what happened is the air bladder broke releasing all the its air into the system and since the bladder broke when the water would heat up now there is now where for it to expand to ergo pressure build up and blowing off relif valve i alway replace a relief valve once its been blown off and your system is going to need purged again
George
hvac&plumbing service tech
hydronic specialist
George
hvac&plumbing service tech
hydronic specialist