[skipeach]

I hear water running sounds from my hot water heater in the pressure release valve line that is fed into the slab of my house. Could the valve be open and draining water? Outside where the AC condensation should be coming out in the summer has water running out is the winter and it's warm. I'm puzzled.

[massplumber2008]

Hi Skipeach:

Certainly sounds like the temperature and pressure relief valve is blowing off. Should be an easy fix.

First, shut off electric power at the electric panel if electric water heater or turn the thermostat down to pilot or vacation setting if gas water heater. If gas water heater NOTE where the thermostat setting is now as you will need to reset it to that same setting when you are finished... ;)

Then you will need to shut off the water supply into the heater (shut cold water INTO heater off), drain a few gallons of water off from the boiler drain at the base of the heater and then cut the pipe going to the relief valve.

Unscrew the relief valve counterclockwise and then take it to a home supply store to be sure you get the correct replacement temperature and pressure relief valve (set aside/remove the threaded adapter that the copper pipe attaches to the relief valve with as you will be reusing it). You will also want to purchase a 3/4" sharkbite coupling (requires no soldering)and some teflon tape.

Then spin 4-6 wraps of teflon onto the threads of the T&P valve and install reasonably tight. Then teflon tape the old threaded adapter and install that into the T&P valve and then push the sharkbite coupling onto the pipe from the threaded adapter and then push the old pipe into the other side of the sharkbite fitting.

Refill the tank by opening the cold water shutoff and then open all hot water valves in the house to purge any air/sediment from the pipes. Turn on the electric or return the thermostat at the water heater to correct temperature and you should be done.

Finally, if the T&P valve starts to flow again soon after installation then you may have an excessive temperature or excessive pressure condition and will need to explore that next. START HERE by replacing the relief valve first as it much more common to have a defective T&P valve then to have an excessive temp. or pressure issue... :)

Let us know how you make out here...

MARK

[nnrobison]

I have a elecric water heater I hear what sounds like it water running all the time. Why ?

[yale44]

Hi Skipeach:

Certainly sounds like the temperature and pressure relief valve is blowing off. Should be an easy fix.

First, shut off electric power at the electric panel if electric water heater or turn the thermostat down to pilot or vacation setting if gas water heater. If gas water heater NOTE where the thermostat setting is now as you will need to reset it to that same setting when you are finished...;)

Then you will need to shut off the water supply into the heater (shut cold water INTO heater off), drain a few gallons of water off from the boiler drain at the base of the heater and then cut the pipe going to the relief valve.

Unscrew the relief valve counterclockwise and then take it to a home supply store to be sure you get the correct replacement temperature and pressure relief valve (set aside/remove the threaded adapter that the copper pipe attaches to the relief valve with as you will be reusing it). You will also want to purchase a 3/4" sharkbite coupling (requires no soldering)and some teflon tape.

Then spin 4-6 wraps of teflon onto the threads of the T&P valve and install reasonably tight. Then teflon tape the old threaded adapter and install that into the T&P valve and then push the sharkbite coupling onto the pipe from the threaded adapter and then push the old pipe into the other side of the sharkbite fitting.

Refill the tank by opening the cold water shutoff and then open all hot water valves in the house to purge any air/sediment from the pipes. Turn on the electric or return the thermostat at the water heater to correct temperature and you should be done.

Finally, if the T&P valve starts to flow again soon after installation then you may have an excessive temperature or excessive pressure condition and will need to explore that next. START HERE by replacing the relief valve first as it much more common to have a defective T&P valve then to have an excessive temp. Or pressure issue...:)

Let us know how you make out here...

MARK

I changed the pressure release valve because it was bad it was letting water pass through.turned main water back on and red pointer is still moving and I can hear the water coming into the tank hours later

[ma0641]

I changed the pressure release valve because it was bad it was letting water pass thru.turned main water back on and red pointer is still moving and I can hear the water coming into the tank hours later

If you replaced the TP valve and it doesn't leak now, you have a leak somewhere. Water doesn't continue running without a leak somewhere. Does your slab or ground around the house show water buildup?