Replies to post #430 on I-Home improvement (IHIP)

[mr.mark]

when a hot water heater (12 year old A.O.Smith - 40 gallon Made In Mexico) temperature pressure relief (TPR) valve starts to drip... say maybe one drip per second when it's really going fast, but most of the time much slower rate... what if anything can i do before calling a plumber to come out and replace the valve and copper discharge line?

i've read that the valve may not be seating due to deposits (sediments) having built up, and that several quick opening bursts on the valve may work toward cleaning out the deposits. i did that last night, running about 2 gallons thru the TPR valve.

and someone else recommended performing basic draining maintenance in addition. their theory was that without cleaning, pressure builds up quicker in the tank, thus activating the TPR valve. i have no idea if this is correct or not, but draining the tank and flushing sediments certainly can't hurt.

this just started a couple days ago.... the TPR valve spilled approximately one to two quarts on the garage floor (hard to tell how much when it's on the floor) after a relatively heavy hot water morning of two showers, one dishwasher cycle and two loads of laundry.

any suggestions appreciated. thank you

:)

mark

[shaolin]

ola: I forgot to welcome you before. Welcome. Refrigeration is a concept that escapes me. You would be an excellent addition to this board. I love it when someone volunteers. Anything you can contribute will be greatly appreciated. Appliances are one field that I am the one looking for advice on. As far as your remark about contractors; I have seen many of the type you are refering to. I am one myself ( contractor that is, not what you described ), but my business focus is more in the field of home repair and handyman service. I get a lot of jobs from 'new home' owners, just going in and cleaning up the odds and ends that their builder didn't do. Good luck, and I hope you will continue to check in here at IHIP. We appreciate the help. ~ shao