Leaking Water Heater : Learn what to do when your water heater pressure relief valve is leaking. Follow our step-by-step guide to fix the issue and avoid potential water damage.

Fix a Leaking Water Heater Relief Valve: What to Do

That constant drip-drip-drip from the pressure relief valve on your water heater can quickly become maddening. While some leaks require replacement, many can be fixed with simple pressure and temperature adjustments. Here are the best troubleshooting steps to stop a leaking relief valve:

Diagnosing the Leak Cause

To pick the right solution, you need to understand what’s making the relief valve leak in the first place:

How Relief Valves Work

Relief valves are safety release devices that open if temperature and pressure get too high, protecting the tank.

Reasons for Relief Valve Leaks

Common causes include buildup on the valve seat, high water pressure, a failing valve, or incorrect temperature settings.

Risks of Ignoring Leaks

A constant leak wastes water, damages your home, leads to corrosion, and is a sign other issues need addressing with the water heater system.

Trying Temporary Fixes First

Start with simple, non-invasive relief valve fixes before resorting to replacement:

Flush Debris from Valve Seat

Open the valve manually for a few seconds so escaping water can clear any buildup and sediment clogging the valve seat.

Replace Relief Valve Lever Washer

If the weep hole drips as pressure fluctuates slightly, replace the relief valve lever rubber washer to create a better seal.

Reduce Water Pressure

Excessive water supply pressure to the tank can cause unnecessary valve openings. Install a pressure reducing valve to keep pressure between 50-60 PSI.

Replacing the Relief Valve

If temporary fixes fail to stop the leak, replacing the relief valve itself is the solution:

Locate Water Supply Valves

Find the cold water shut-off valve for the water heater and turn it off before starting replacement. Also close the heating fuel supply valve if applicable.

Drain and Shut Off Water Heater

Drain the tank completely using the drain valve. Then switch off the tank power to avoid electric shocks during work.

Remove and Replace Relief Valve

Unscrew the faulty relief valve and clean the opening’s threads. Wrap threads on the new valve with Teflon tape and screw it in tightly.

Adjusting Temperature and Pressure

Leaks often indicate issues with tank temperature or plumbing pressure:

Inspect Expansion Tank

Check that the expansion tank is sized correctly for your water volume and pressure. Replace it if worn out or leaking.

Check Thermostat Setting

Make sure the water temperature setting isn’t too high. Lower to around 120°F if needed.

Install Thermal Expansion Valve

Excessive pressure from thermal expansion requires installing an expansion valve to allow water to flow back to the main supply.

Calling a Professional Plumber

If you can’t find the root cause of the relief valve leak, have an expert inspect your entire hot water system for faults.

Have Drain Lines Inspected

A plumber can scope the drain line attached to the relief valve to check for restrictions causing pressure buildup.

Evaluate Whole System

Pros can diagnose problems with the expansion tank, water pressure, thermostat, heating elements, and other components impacting valve operation.

Conclusion

Persistent water heater relief valve leaks shouldn’t be ignored. In many cases, they can be fixed with some adjustments and replacing basic parts. But if you can’t find the root issue, calling a professional ensures the leak will be fully diagnosed and repaired correctly.