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milessaedwards · Nov 26, 2012, 05:55 PM

Pressure release valve has been leaking. Changed the release valve twice and got a expansion tank but it is still leaking. We checked the psi and in the kitchen it is at 60 but at the washer and dryer it is 120. What could be the problem and why are they so different and what should I do?
Thank you

ballengerb1 · Nov 26, 2012, 06:02 PM

Where did you get the 60 psi reading, what part of the home? If the 120 is after the water heater I would suspect your expansion tank is in the wrong place or not working.

milessaedwards · Nov 26, 2012, 07:40 PM

The 60 psi reading was at the kitchen sink and the 120 reading was before the water heater. I have lived here for 7 years and have never had a expansion tank. I only got one because someone mentioned it. Since the pressure release valve is still leaking would I even need the expansion tank or can I take it back? Could my water heater actually explode like I read? I have no idea what I am doing here so I thank you for your help!

ma0641 · Nov 26, 2012, 07:59 PM

The expansion tank has nothing to do with pressure per se. If you are getting 120 PSIG at the water heater it is far too much, should be 70 PSIG +/-. You probably have a bad or at least misadjusted Pressure Reducing Valve for the house. It is typically where the water enters the house and has an adjustment bolt. Can the heater explode? Possibly, but more likely rupture and drop the water in the basement or wherever it is located..

milessaedwards · Nov 26, 2012, 08:26 PM

Ok I will get one tomorrow. Should I leave the expansion tank or can I return it if the Pressure Reducing Valve is the fix? Can't Thank you enough.

ma0641 · Nov 26, 2012, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by milessaedwards

Ok I will get one tomorrow. Should I leave the expansion tank or can I return it if the Pressure Reducing Valve is the fix? can't Thank you enough.

I would leave the tank. You can try to adjust the valve. With water running, loosen the stop nut and back the bolt out a turn. Measure the pressure. If it dropped, take another turn or two and measure again until the pressure at the heater is 70. If it doesn't drop, you need a new valve.

ballengerb1 · Nov 26, 2012, 08:49 PM

We need to slow down on this until more details surface. 120 before the heater says failed or nonexistent pressure reducer but why then is it only 60 at the sink? Where did all that psi go?

milessaedwards · Nov 26, 2012, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

We need to slow down on this until more details surface. 120 before the heater says failed or nonexistent pressure reducer but why then is it only 60 at the sink? Where did all that psi go??

I have no clue. Its weird. Cleaned the reducer valve and it he pressure went down to 70 thena hour later it was at 120.

speedball1 · Nov 27, 2012, 06:47 AM

Then you DO have a pressure reducing valve installed?(see image).

eird. Cleaned the reducer valve and it he pressure went down to 70 thena hour later it was at 120.

The only problem is that it doesn't seem to be working. I'd replace the PRV and drop the house pressure to 60 PSI.

milessaedwards · Nov 27, 2012, 08:22 AM

We do but it is old

milessaedwards · Nov 27, 2012, 12:20 PM

Got the reducer valve and when I took the other off it was full of rusted chunks. Got the new one hooked up and it fixed the problem. The hot water at the sink and hot water to the washer is at 60 and the cold to the washer is at 120. I am assuming the 120 on the cold washer side is normal right? I couldn't have done it without your help, so for that I thank you! You are awesome for helping others and not expecting anything in return!

milessaedwards · Nov 27, 2012, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by ma0641

The expansion tank has nothing to do with pressure per se. If you are getting 120 PSIG at the water heater it is far too much, should be 70 PSIG +/-. You probably have a bad or at least misadjusted Pressure Reducing Valve for the house. It is typically where the water enters the house and has an adjustment bolt. Can the heater explode? Possibly, but more likely rupture and drop the water in the basement or wherever it is located..

WooHoo Thank You ma0641, you were right. Got the reducer valve and when I took the other off it was full of rusted chunks. Got the new one hooked up and it fixed the problem. The hot water at the sink and hot water to the washer is at 60 and the cold to the washer is at 120. I am assuming the 120 on the cold washer side is normal right? I couldn't have done it without your help, so for that I thank you! You are awesome for helping others and not expecting anything in return!