I have a 3 year old house, when purchased the overflow valve of the hot water heater would leak water occasionally. Plumber came and installed a pressure relieve tank on the cold water line, problem solved until the last couple of weeks. Water again will come out of the overflow pipe every couple of days. Not a slow drip but I will find a few inches in an old sour cream container I put under the pipe. Any advice?

Hi Ken,

"Water again will come out of the overflow pipe every couple of days. Not a slow drip but I will find a few inches in an old sour cream container I put under the pipe. Any advice?"

Yes, tap the expansion tank with a small wrench to make sure it's working and not loaded up with water. You should hear a "clang" and not a "clunk". If it's water logged shut off the water to the house and remove and drain the expansion tank. Then I'd begin to wonder why the tank got water logged so soon. The only other thing would be a faulty pressure and temperature valve.
Regards, Tom

Thanks Tom. I think I may have discovered the problem. Upon further review I noticed that the plumber hat installed the expansion tank on the Hot water line, not the cold water side. What are the ramifications of this? Ken

Thanks Tom. I think I may have discovered the problem. Upon further review I noticed that the plumber hat installed the expansion tank on the Hot water line, not the cold water side. What are the ramifications of this? Ken

Hi Ken,

Since the water expands out the cold water side the installation as it stands is worthless. The hot water side is a closed system so the water can only expand out one side, the cold water side. I'm amazed that your plumber didn't know the difference. Call him back and have him do it right at his expense. Good luck, Tom