[pennstatemike]

I have a 12 year old gas water heater that was originally installed with a tank expansion unit. Last fall, the relief valve started to leak occasionally so I had the relief valve replaced. The leak still occurred and I would dump a bucket once every couple of weeks knowing that I would soon have to replace the expansion tank. Time goes by and 11 months later I've finally decided I need to replace the tank expansion unit because I know have to dump the bucket every day due to the cold weather.

I measured my inlet water pressure on the outside of the house with the outside faucet and it measured 65 PSI. I pumped the tank expansion until up to 65 PSI when I installed it, but unfortunately, I'm still letting a drip from my water heater. The tank expansion unit was definitely part of the problem, because it was filled with water when I removed it.

I'm not sure what else to do? Do I need to replace the relief valve again because of all the drip that has occurred over the past year?

[speedball1]

I pumped the tank expansion until up to 65 PSI when I installed it, but unfortunately, I'm still letting a drip from my water heater.

Whadda you mean you pumped up the expansion tank? And to house pressure already.
A expansion tank does just that. It expands! I
You're treating it like a bladder tank on a pump system. Where's the tank going to expand to if you pressure it up to house pressure. That's right Sports Fans! It expands out the T & P Valve because that's the only place left. Try letting all the pressure out of the tank and see if the leak doesn't go bye-bye.
If you get water out of the snifter valve when you bleed off the pressure then replace the tank. The membrane's ruptured. Goodluck, Tom

[pennstatemike]

The directions said that I had to match the expansion tank PSI to the inlet water pressure when I installed it. When I originally put it in, the PSI on the expansion tank was 28, and it was still leaking at that point, so I pumped it up to 65. I re-read the install directions, and that is where I saw that they had to be equal.

Which one is the sniffer valve? The only leak (slow drip) is from the relief valve.


By the way, it's a WellSaver LET2. It says, "The expansion tank air charge must be adjusted to match the incoming water pressure".

[speedball1]

My bad! I missed this part.

The tank expansion unit was definitely part of the problem, because It was filled with water when I removed it.

The snifter valve is the valve on top of the tank and if you get water out of it then you must replace the expansion tank. I was in error and yourWellsaver Let2 tank must be set to house pressure. However if water comes out of the snifter valve the bladder'S ruptured and the tank must be replaced. I apologize for jumpling on you for pressuring up your tank In my area we use the tanks that are precharged. Check the snifter valve and let me know if you get air or water out of it. Good luck, Tom

[Milo Dolezal]

Pressure Relieve valve will leak if there is High Pressure or Water is too Hot. Is your thermostat working properly ? Do you feel like you get steaming hot water from your faucets ?

[pennstatemike]

I ended up replacing the relief valve today. After a year of constant leaking, it must have worn itself out. It's been 8 hours and no leak so I hope this situation is finally under control.

Thanks to all for the advice.