Pressure Relief Valve Leaking From Your Water Heater (What’s Next?)
Your pressure relief valve is leaking water from the water heater? You’re going to want to know what to do about it pretty quickly. A leak, although it may be small at the time, can cause major water damage over an extended period. Many homeowners quickly become concerned about an issue like this because the leak is not stopping on its own.
If you water heater is leaking from the pressure relief valve, also commonly called a pressure release valve, here’s what you should do:
What is the Reason for a Pressure Relief Valve?
A water heater’s pressure relief valve is vital to the safety of your home and your water heater. One of the most important things to understand about your water heater is that when water heats up inside of the tank, thermal expansion causes pressure to build up inside. If the pressure gets too high, you are at risk of your water heater exploding.
This is why we say it is important for the safety of your home and water heater. The relief valve is a safety mechanism to be able to avoid problems like this so they don’t occur. The release valves release that extra pressure and drop the temperature by draining some water out of the tank. Often, to lower the pressure and temperature, adding cold water will do the trick.
What to do if Pressure Relief Valve is Leaking
One of the most common water heater repairs is replacing your old pressure relief valve with a new one. This can be the case if you seem to have a faulty valve. The valve couldn’t be sealing properly which is what is causing the water heater to leak.
It could also be because the valve is being open with force because of excessive temperature or pressure. In this case, this is not the water pressure relief valve leaking, this is actually the valve doing the right thing. If the valve has water draining out of the discharge pipe, this is not a leak.
All in all, the best choice would be to call a professional to come and inspect the situation. Within no time, the issues can be fixed. It will be something that you no longer have to worry about.
What is an Expansion Tank on a Water Heater?
The use of an expansion tank is to make sure that the excess pressure in your water heater has a place to go when the heat in the tank rises. This allows your water heater to be safe when the temperature and pressure gets too high. This expansion tank is a second tank that attaches directly to your water heater.
What is the Purpose of an Expansion Tank?
The purpose of an expansion tank is to keep your home and your water heater safe. Without anywhere for extra pressure to go, your water heater will explode. That can be dangerous to anyone or anything in your home. An expansion tank is your best bet if your pressure relief valve has a leak.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have a good idea of what you can do when your pressure relief valve is leaking, you can make the best choice for your home, and for the safety of you and your family. Replacing the pressure relief valve, adding on an expansion tank, or just calling a professional are all options you have.
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need any plumbing or drain cleaning service. 1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.
