Water Line Pressure Relief Valve Leaking | Leaking Pressure Relief Valve

What if you find that your main water line pressure relief valve is leaking all of a sudden? And no one is there to help you with it. This isn’t a huge problem because this is something that could be fixed by yourself. Although the main water line pressure relief valve leaking Isn’t a very common thing that happens, we have to be prepared for it.

Luckily for homeowners, replacing the pressure relief valve isn’t something that’s going to take a lot of time nor money. That is in case if the fix only requires you to replace the valve. Just move some of the water out of the heater and transfer the discharge tube. That’s pretty much it if your main concern is replacing the valve. But there are a few other things we need to be concerned about. Let’s find them out now.

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Main water line pressure relief valve leaking even after the replacement

So, you have replaced the pressure relief valve and done everything according to the book. But what if it starts leaking again and now what? Well, actually at this stage, there are a few more actions we need to take. But don’t get discouraged and stop attending to it because it’s not an abnormal thing that has only happened to your water heater.

Although your water heater is a steel machine, right now it needs a little more attention. What happens is the water expands When the heater increases its temperature inside your tank. This results in water flowing back into the cold-water inlet. This is the main water supply in your house (in case you have not realized)

You should be alert if the water pressure of your main supply is too high

So now you know that when water is heated up it expands. This is also where it starts to expand beyond what is expected. This reaction causes extra pressure creating a little bit of a mismatch.

As you may know by now, our Main Water Line pressure release valve is a closed system. Due to that reason, Main Water Line pressure release valve leaking takes place because of the additional pressure that’s created.

And the other problem is that, this additional pressure causes a lot of issues in many homes due to malpractices as well. For example, in some parts of the world, even in some parts in the United States, check valves are not installed in apartments. But, it is advisable to install a check valve if you are building a new house.

Get that pressure regulator installed if you haven’t still, let me tell you why

But it’s no big deal if you don’t have it installed in your house, it’s just a good practice to have. But when it comes to the pressure regulator, I would definitely recommend you to install one immediately because whenever the water pressure coming from your main water supply is much greater than the expected, the pressure regulator becomes a useful tool as it regulates the water pressure accordingly.

Its regulatory effect diminishes the risk of damage to your plumbing fixtures to a greater extent than one would imagine. Sometimes this useful regulator has a tendency of acting as a check valve itself, which is called a closed system. I know it sounds a little complicated.
But for whatever reason when that happens, it could draw water into your house that might not flow back. This is where the temperature and pressure relief valve could fail.
This is another situation where your main water line pressure relief valve leaking could take place. But you need to understand that this isn’t a very common thing that happens every time Whenever a pressure reducing valve is installed.

The expansion tank will give your water that second chance it deserves

There even could be other problems you need to give attention to as well. Such as water leaks in faucets, leaks in toilets, and also problems in your flush system to name a few. So if you have a closed system in your home, then definitely an expansion tank has to be initiated to your plumbing system.
This isn’t a complicated fix either. Having an expansion tank will give this water line’s pressure relief valve’s annoying leakage a simple fix. The expansion tank will help by giving the water a chance to flow back to safety when expansion starts.

A Simple yet effective fix that will give you more than just a temporary solution

Even if it doesn’t give the permanent solution you are looking for. With this little fix, you will at least notice that the expansion tank along with the pressure relief valve will provide your water heater with at least a quick temporary solution.

You have to be patient at this point because this quick and easy fix. It will provide your water with a suitable place to flow freely as and when it expands. You may even notice after this fix, your water heater is giving much less trouble. Now it’s working more efficiently than before.
There have been claims of homeowners who have boldly mentioned that this fix has stopped their main water line pressure relief valve leaking issue for good.

Now you are almost done struggling with your pressure relief valve

So, as you can see, you can always use the tricks I have mentioned above to give your main water line’s pressure relief valve’s water leaking Problem a permanent solution. These are not just temporary solutions, you can always use these tips as a way of stopping it for a very long time as well.
Yes, now your part is over. But, make sure to keep in mind about the theoretical factors when it comes to heat and pressure so that you know what you are doing. But if the main water line pressure relief valve is still leaking even after doing all of the things above, then it’s definitely time for you to seek out for some professional help.

This rule also applies to hot water heating systems; when a boiler heats the water in a hydronic heating system, the expansion tank allows for the water to expand without the pressure relief valve leaking.  If the pressure relief valve on a boiler system chronically leaks, even after replacement, it probably means there is a problem with the expansion tank.

BY : FIX IT Home Improvement Channel

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