Hot Water Tank Drain Valve Dripping

This temperature pressure relief valve is attached to the discharge pipe.

Hot water tank drain valve dripping.

It is used to drain tank of water in order to plumbing or maintenance. When you return there shouldn t be any water near the tank which indicates a false alarm phew. This allows air into the tank to prevent suction that would inhibit draining. It s designed to release the pressure when there is too much of a load built up inside the water heater.

Hot water usage condensation can make it appear as though your drain valve is leaking. Open the temperature and pressure relief valve on the side or top of the tank by flipping the lever to the open position. At the bottom of the tank there must drain valve in every cold hot water heater leaking from top. To make sure the leak you re seeing is actually a leak dry off the valve and don t use your hot water for a few hours.

If you tighten the drain valve but still see moisture dry the valve with a towel and wait for about an hour. If your valve is dripping that may be a. Hot water heater drain valves are prone to leaking and breakage. Drain the tank.

After prolonged hot water usage condensation can form on the valve as the unit heats up dripping water onto your floor. The t and p valve which is located on the top or side of the tank opens and releases water or steam when the temperature or pressure exceed preset limits. Regular maintenance performed on a water heater will prolong the life of the unit. So this release of its pressure causes your hot water tank overflow pipe dripping towards the floor where the hot water heater is placed.

A slow leak can add up to hundreds of dollars in water damage repairs. A leaking hot water drain valve wastes energy and can ruin anything in the immediate area.