Water heater dripping water...

[Kuba]

2012 salem Rks here. Got it new last year. This year when i started using it i noticed dripping water from the relief valve. It only does that when the heater is on. Is this something i should be concerned about? It drips a drop every few seconds. I had my trailer winterized by a local rv place. Would they unscrew it for winterizing?

[donanddona]

Are you using a pressure reducer in your water supply line?

[OldCoot]

Just flip the lever 2 or 3 times to re-seat the valve. It probably has a pc of debris in it. Nothing to be alarmed about.

They probably just opened it to drain the tank and it didn't re-seat properly or got a pc of debris in the valve.

[Kuba]

No pressure reducer, im in a park 95% seasonal as i take it out once-twice a year. Will flip it few times. Im assumingn with heater off and no hot water inside? If that doesnt work will get the reducer, whats the max pressure thats allowed?

[The RB]

Mine does that too. Don't worry, it's just doing its job. Water expands as it gets hot. If you don't want it dripping outside, slightly open the hot water faucet on the inside, just to drip. Mine usually does it when I turn it on from dead cold, or a reheat after a long shower.

[TexasBob]

Originally Posted by The RB

Mine does that too. Don't worry, it's just doing its job. Water expands as it gets hot. If you don't want it dripping outside, slightly open the hot water faucet on the inside, just to drip. Mine usually does it when I turn it on from dead cold, or a reheat after a long shower.

I have to disagree. It is not normal for the Temperature / Relief valve to leak. Either the pressure is too high, the temperature is too high or the valve is faulty. If it routinely leaks the valve will become faulty. The valve is for your safety. Maybe you can live with it but it's not a good idea.

[SKnight]

Agree on reseating the valve, water on, heater off and cool preferably, use the lever to open the valve and flow some water through.

When you winterize typically the relief valve is opened to let air in while the tank drains, plus that keeps the relief valve moving. A little debris or it just not reseating properly is fairly common, flushing a little water through usually fixes them right up.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Kuba

No pressure reducer, im in a park 95% seasonal as i take it out once-twice a year. Will flip it few times. Im assumingn with heater off and no hot water inside? If that doesnt work will get the reducer, whats the max pressure thats allowed?

Pressure on, water hot and flip it a couple of times. You want to flush out any possible debris. Just because it seeps occasionally does not make it defective unless flipping the lever doesn't solve the problem. If you flip the lever several times and it still seeps, time to shut the heater off and let it cool and replace it. They are readily available at Lowes/HD/etc.

[Thurman]

I'll have to agree with "TexasBob" with this one. The Pressure Relief Valve/PRV is designed to allow a small amount of water to escape under certain conditions as Bob explained. IF yours is allowing any water at all to escape, then something is wrong in the system.

[Kuba]

I did "wiggle" it few times yesterday when got to the trailer and when the water was cold. Heater has been on for 15+ hours and has not dripped even once.

[Kuba]

Will keep an eye on it though

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by Kuba

Will keep an eye on it though

Next time you have the pressure relief valve open (draining WH etc.) and want to reset the valve just flip the valve toggle with 1 finger and let the valve snap into position. That way the valve should seat properly. JMO.

[Kuba]

Thanks guys