The temperature pressure relief valve is important for the protection of the water heater. So leaking the water relief valve can cause some issues. Here we will cover the causes of water heater leaking and find how to solve these issues. So let’s get started with “Why is my water heater’s relief valve leaking?”
Purpose of water heater’s relief valve
When water is heated in the water heater, thermal expansion produces pressure in the tank. If pressure is high water heater can explode.
The temperature pressure relief safety process helps to avoid this error. If the temperature or pressure in the tank is higher than at some point relief valve opens and helps water to drain out from the tank.
Cold water is added to the tank to reduce the temperature and pressure in the tank. The valve operates by releasing water if the water heater has high pressure. As heated water expands, the water heater is like a time bomb if there is continuous pressure building in the water heater.
Temperature Pressure Relief Valve (TPR)
The TPR valve also known as the pressure valve is a certain type of valve at the water heater. This valve is connected to the upper part or side of the water heater.
The main working of the valve is releasing water if the water heater has high pressure. It is normally connected with boilers and other water supply heaters. TPRs are made to automatically release water if the pressure or temperature in the tank is higher than a certain point.
Discharge Tube
The TPR valve needed the discharge pipe or tube. This tube is connected to the ground. Since hot water comes out of the TPR valve, it releases water. So high-temperature water discharges to the ground.
With that, if pipes go up in water, they work against gravity to empty. It can be a chance that the slow drip of the TPR valve will gather water in the tubing and rust the valve, then empty it.
Why might a water heater’s relief valve start leaking?
There are two main causes for heater relief valve leaking. The first is that the valve is triggered to open due to high temperature or pressure, or the valve is faulty. In this condition, the valve drains water out of the discharge pipe. It looks like a leak, but it is working like a relief valve.
The issue can be a faulty valve that can cause a leak. Then the valve is not accurately sealed such as the valve can stuck and open helping water to drain out.
What should I do when the water heater’s relief valve is leaking?
- Turn off the water heater breaker.
- Off water.
- Empty the water heater by draining the bottom and water at home.
- Remove the TPR valve and discharge tube by unscrewing with a wrench.
- Connect a new TPR valve and discharge tube.
- If you do not follow this process, get the services of experts.
Common Causes of Leaking
High Pressure
- When water is heated, it expands, increasing pressure in the water heater. The connection of expansion tank can help absorb the high pressure and avoid leaks.
Faulty Valve
- With time, dust particles can cause valves to be affected or not work accurately, causing leaking. In these conditions, just clean or replace the valve to solve the problem.
Temperature Variations
- If the water heater thermostat is set at a high value or is not working well, causing the water temperature to cross safe limits (above 120–125 degrees Fahrenheit), the pressure relief valve will open and release the high pressure. Adjusting the water heater temperature can solve the problem.
Sediment Creation
- Water heating with calcium and magnesium can make limescale in a water heater. It can cause damage to the inner side of heaters and other components. That affects the pressure relief valve. It can cause the valve to stick open or close accurately, causing a continuous leak.
Corrosion inside the tank
- The inner side of the water heater tank is made of metal that gets corroded with time. Corrosion can affect tank parts and components, such as spaces close to the pressure relief valve.
How to Fix a Leaking Valve
Check Valve
- Properly lift the valve test lever to check that it is closed accurately when released. If water is leaking, the valve needs to be replaced.
Check the pressure.
- Use a pressure gauge on the hose faucet to measure the house’s water pressure. If the value is higher than 80 PSI, connect the pressure regulator to the cold water pipe coming home or the expansion tank close to the water heater.
Replace the valve.
- If the valve is damaged, then it needs to be replaced. Connecting a new pressure valve is an easy process, but if professional services are required, get them.
FAqs
Is it normal for water to come out of a pressure relief valve?
- The working of the valve causes a small amount of water to come out of the tank. if there is high pressure in the take, the valve opens to release pressure and some water comes out. It is normal and shows that the valve is working well.
- Tap water comes with minerals like calcium and magnesium. With time these minerals created in water heater tanks cause pressure. Regularly flushing the water tank reduces sediment creation. Use house house-wide filler system for water supply.
- If there is a water heater leaking from the overflow pipe. it is a sign that the temperature and pressure relief valve are required to change. The T and P valve is the main device that discharges water when the temperature or pressure is high for the tank to easy handle.
- It can be caused by faulty pressure relief valves, high pressure coming in a tank, or an affected water heater thermostat. The other cause that the T& P valve can be opening is that the water temperature in the tank is high.
- It is not easy to apply the accurate amount of how much relief valve leak since many parameters can affect leakage, but a relief valve can leak about 12 Letters in one day and it is normally working
- The valve opens when the pressure in the tank is higher than the preset limit normally 150 PSi or temperature over 210 degrees Fahrenheit. Once opened, it allows the excess heated water to flow out of the tank, lowering the internal pressure and temperature.
- The water heater is the main component of our home plumbing system. it provides hot water to all components and devices connected with it. if the water heater is under high pressure, it can cause issues such as leaks and even explosions.
- The water heater relief valve can leak if the valve is triggered to open due to high temperature or pressure or if the valve is faulty.
- there is likely a pressure issue and not a temperature error. Thermal expansion can force the relief valve open.
- When the hose is secured and routed outdoors open the drain valve. Open the pressure relief valve at the upper unit. Give the water heater time to drain water. When water heater tank is empty, again open cold water valve and drain for some minutes to flush out leftover sediment.
