View Full Version : Restoring water to first floor
parohen3
Apr 14, 2009, 01:40 PM
My pressure valve had been leaking on my hot water heater. It blew across the room and my basement was flooded with hot water as I panicked. Called gas co. cause I thought I smelled gas from turning knobs trying to turn off water. Anyway I di repair the valve with something that looks llike a faucet. I turned my main water on but it works everywhere but in the kitchen. And I never touched anything under kitchen sink. Hot and cold works on 2nd and basement floors but not a drip from kitchen sink! Is there a knob on the heater that I might have overlooked?
ballengerb1
Apr 14, 2009, 02:18 PM
Wow, you replaced your pressure valve with a faucet, shut the unit down immediately and crack open your drain spigot to release some pressure. That valve is designed to blow from excessive pressure or high temps and you are defeating the safety system. We will get to the crude that broke loose and got stuck in your faucet mixing valve later. We need to find out why the T&P valve blew. Test your water pressure at the spigot with a screw on pressure gauge that will fit on a garden hose thread. If its 45 psi or lower you are fine, the valve blows at 150 psi. If the water temp is below 210 degrees the valve should not blow. If both measures are good then and only then should you buy a brand new T&P valve.
massplumber2008
Apr 14, 2009, 03:04 PM
Parohen3... the only valve that should have replaced the valve that blew off is exactly the same valve... called a temperature and pressure relief valve (see picture).
Like Ballenger said, then we need to determine if the temp. and press. Relief valve was just defective or if the gas thermostat itself is the issue.
Lastly, you need to check the aerator (see picture) at the kitchen sink spout. Loosen this clockwise and then remove and clean of sediment... then re-install. If that leaves an undesirable flow then you may need to replace the aerator... available at all home supply stores.
Let us know how you're doing.
MARK