water coming from water heater pressure release valve after running dishwasher, should I be worried?
Just tonight I had a leak detector I placed near the drain pipe for the pressure relief valve on my gas water heater alert me.
I went downstairs and saw a small amount of water coming from the pressure relief valve. It had mostly stopped by the time I came down. Only thing calling for hot water at that time was the dishwasher.
I've had this leak detector downstairs for about a week and this is the first time it's caught water there. I don't know if this is "normal" or an indication that my water tank may be failing.
I have an expansion tank, and I've read elsewhere that the expansion tank is usually the solution to pressure relief valves being triggered, which has me concerned.
It's an old water heater - about 14 years.
Is the pressure relief valve opening on occasion normal, or definitely a sign of a problem?
The temperature gauge reads just over "A" on a scale of A to C, C being the hottest. So I don't think my temperature is out of control.
It has been unusually warm in my house today compared to previous days, I wonder if that could have caused expansion in the water somewhere that could have made this more likely to happen today?
Thanks for any insight.
Posted Nov 6, 2022, 1:01 AM UTC
If the expansion tank bladder has failed and it is water logged, it is non functional.
Alright. I wonder how I'd know this one way or another.
Is it generally true that the pressure relief valve should never open if the expansion tank is functioning properly?
Indeed that is correct.
An easy way to get an idea of if your tank is failed or not, is to take a screwdriver and tap the handle along the side of the tank. The first 2/3rds or so should sound like a dull (solid) tap, while towards the end of the tank opposite from where it screws into the pipes, should sound almost hollow.
At 14 years tho, it's a pretty good chance that it's failed
Thanks for this. It sounds pretty solid. I'll get a plumber out and have it looked at.
Dont forget expansion tank needs to be pressurized
yes but sometimes they fail. go to the expansion tank and there is a valve on the bottom just like the ones on your car and bike tires press the little pin and see if water comes out its supposed to have air in there the same pressure as the water pressure around 60psi normaly.
Basically true, but the P&T valves are failure prone. And they should not be opened to test them as that can lead to a leaker.
Alright. I haven't opened mine to test as I fear that might screw it up.
My expansion tank sounds not-hollow.
I don't see any psi guages anywhere. I also don't see my expansion tanks Schrader valve. I'm probably not looking in the right place.
I ran the shower with hot water and when downstairs and listened to gas heat the tank and then shut off and no release valve leakage.
Contacting a plumber as this whole system is 2007 dated and I'll probably talk about replacement.