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View Full Version : Is my hot water heater bad?


gsensel
Mar 26, 2011, 11:49 AM
I posted previously about my temperature/pressure relief valve possibly being bad. As far as I know the water heater is about 7 years old and the valve has never ben replaced (I've owned for 2 years).

I confirmed the water originally in my floor was coming from the temperature/pressure relief valve. Got a thermometer and pressure gauge. The pressure gauge and it was reading 60 psi on the cold in, water heater drain, and hot out. The temperature was also good. So I replaced the relief valve.

Now this morning I noticed some water still on the floor. Cleaned it up thinking it was some I missed after finishing yesterday. It reappeared. I took off the lower panel and see water droplets (condensation?) does this mean the heater is shot and the valve was only allowing me to not see it was bad? Or is it something else?

ma0641
Mar 26, 2011, 12:50 PM
It could have been leaking down the inside wall into the fiberglass, from the TPV. 7 years isn't that long for a HW htr. What is the warranty? If it continues to show water inside, you may indeed have a bad heater.

drtom4444
Mar 27, 2011, 09:21 AM
I would open the valve briefly to blow out any trash on the valve seat and see if that fixes it. These valves rarely go bad, but if you have a hard water problem it could have deposits on the seat which should have never opened unless the temp has been set too high. If that does not fix it you should check temp of water and see if it is higher or close to set point on pressure relief valve which is on tag on top of valve, usually a round label around stem attached to lever. If temp is lower than that on valve then replace valve which is not covered on a warranty. DrTom4444

drtom4444
Mar 27, 2011, 04:21 PM
Then all you need to do is to replace the pop-off valve. That is easy and cheap. DrTom4444