Hot water link (not the tank) Help please.

[Montana_70]

Started to head out the door and noticed water dripping on the side by the door. At first I thought it was morning dew coming off the top. But then I took the cover off the Hot water compartment and there is a drip coming off what looks like a brass faucet (no handle) with what at first looks like a blue fuse screwed into the front of it in the top of the compartment. I think this is the Pressure Release Valve. This brass fixture is where the water is leaking.

It was heating the water on gas when I noticed it. I turned off the gas switch inside. After about 20 minutes the drip stopped.

I am headed for work now but will check this evening for any comments or helpful tips.

[Thunderman]

fla native,
Yes that is your pressure relief valve. You might try opening and closing a few times to correct this problem. Might be best to do this when the water is not hot. I expect the pressure increased when the water was heated.
It may be doing what it is supposed to, releasing increased pressure. It should not do it all the time.

[Glenn and Lorraine]

quote:It may be doing what it is supposed to, releasing increased pressure. It should not do it all the time.

I also noticed this "leak" when we first got our Monty. Was told that this is normal. As the water is heated it builds pressure and the pressure relief valve is just doing what it is designed for. I notice it more often when using gas and hardly at all on electric.

[NJ Hillbilly]

Shut the water supply off, open faucets inside trailer to relieve pressure then open the valve a few times. There might be a little debris in the seat and this may dislodge it. With the pressure off you shouldn't get hit by any hot water.

John

[Charlie]

These valves are designed with a mechanical release and a spring is what keeps the valve closed. If flushing the valve by unseating and reseating(with cold water in the tank) does not stop the drip, then it is possible the spring is weak inside the valve. Replacement of the valve should elimate the problem unless you have a bad thermostat in which case a new valve will also leak.

[Montana_70]

Coming home tonight and seeing your replies was encouraging. I have only lately started heating with gas. Due to this current parks gauging us for electric usage. But that's another story.

I'm thinking it must have been the pressure using the gas heat, as it stopped leaking when I turned the gas off. I'm not sure. But I feel much better, knowing that this can be normal. If it's more than that I'll know soon enough I'm sure.

Thank you

[sreigle]

BJ, ours gets water far hotter on propane than on electric. So it's not surprising you see this seepage when on propane but not on electric. I agree with those who said first try clearing the valve by unseating/reseating it. Just be very careful as the hot water will shoot out of that thing if the pressure is not first relieved. It can give you serious burns. Be careful. I'd recommend shutting off the heater and letting it cool a few hours, then open a faucet as noted above, then open and close the pressure relief valve a few times.

[Montana_3598]

Not that long ago I read in a CW article I believe a story about hot water heaters and that annoying drip. Basically what they said is it works with an "air bubble" in the top of the tank to keep that from dripping, and if you're getting a consistant drip, you need to shut off the intake, run the purge valve until it stops (cold, of course!) or run a faucet, then reapply pressure to the input and that should solve it. Having a bit of air in the top of the hot water tank is apparently not only normal but needed for expansion purposes.

[sreigle]

Good info, Jeff and Sandy. Thanks!

By "running the purge valve" are you saying to open the relief valve and open a faucet or are you saying to drain the heater and refill it? Sorry, I'm extra dense tonight.
Thanks.