Water heater question
Background:
10 year old Lochinvar gas water heater.
Water is on a water softener before it goes to the heater.
pressure relief valve has been constantly dripping for a couple weeks. Maybe a gallon a day.
Nothing has changed recently in our water system. Over a year ago we had the well pump and pressure tank replaced.
I did try turning our water pressure down, but only a couple pounds. It didn't seem to have any effect.
Question:
Why is my pressure relief valve constantly dripping?
How can I make it stop?
Right now, I'm draining the water heater (following directions in manual). Going to fill it back up after I'm done and see what happens.
hashtagnotaplumber
10 year old Lochinvar gas water heater.
Water is on a water softener before it goes to the heater.
pressure relief valve has been constantly dripping for a couple weeks. Maybe a gallon a day.
Nothing has changed recently in our water system. Over a year ago we had the well pump and pressure tank replaced.
I did try turning our water pressure down, but only a couple pounds. It didn't seem to have any effect.
Question:
Why is my pressure relief valve constantly dripping?
How can I make it stop?
Right now, I'm draining the water heater (following directions in manual). Going to fill it back up after I'm done and see what happens.
hashtagnotaplumber
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Why does my water heater make popping sounds? Seems to do it when it is filling up and heating. Then it periodically makes a sound that I can best describe as a load of rocks being dumped out of a wheelbarrow. Heater is a Bradford White 40 gallon and is 8 years old. 0 -
If you read the manufacturer's label on water heaters, I think that you will find that most "brands" are made by the same 2 or 3 specialty manufacturers. They stick a brand label on each item when it comes off the line.
So, not much difference, if any, between those selling in the same price range. You may want to pick a model better than the cheap "builder's model", but no point paying for the most expensive model. If you get > 10 years service out of any water heater, you are ahead of the game.
Neal
"You get what you pay for, sometimes less."0 -
i have a 1979 model still going changed the elements twice in the time 0 -
I agree with Neal. 0 -
Choose the one with the prettiest color paint.
[;)]0 -
I used to manage a small plumbing supply shop, and it was owned by a man who owned a huge on in a larger city. He sold A O Smith water heaters, and still does. Some customers from 20 or more years ago still have the same water heater. Had to replace a part or two, and of course drain the sediment out of it every year or so, but the water heater tank is till good. You may pay a bit more, but it will last, and the parts will be available for a long time. 0 -
Not sure about electric, but for a natural gas hot water heater, A O Smith is a very good unit! Installed one in my old home some 30 years ago and it is still going strong according to my son who lives there now! 0 -
i bought a new one 2 years ago just in case...seller said he thought they were getting cheaper made every year and higher priced and i got i on hand if/when needed....things like that always quit on weekends or holidays and during blizzards 0 -
Over the years of doing rental property maintenance I always had good luck with a o Smith . 0 -
Check with your local electric provider...Often they offer replacements at a huge discount...Especially if you mention, you may want to switch to gas... 0 -
Get an AO Smith. Put it on your calendar- once a year, flush the sediment out. Add an insulation jacket around the outside. We just replaced one from 1979. 0 -
made by A O Smith 0 -
Thank you! I'll check on lowes / a o smith.
And I like the idea about checking with my electric company. Who knows...0 -
Avoid Whirlpool, they have a very thin tank. Personally I stock and sell Rheem but A.O. Smiths are pretty good too. 0 -
Just remember that a big box store water heater is the equivalent of a Harbor Freight drill press. They're cheap for a reason. 0 -
I think every bit as important is the fittings and hoses. I bought the braided teflon/plastic lined ones so as to prevent the electrolytic corrosion. Not a sign so far.
I also stay away from big box sellers. Word is they get special deals and special scrimping on materials to meet the price point. Mine is a Bradford White gas, fast recovery 40 gal. My bill went up a little, but dang, I have hot water [:D]0 -
Just replaced mine with an "American Craftsman." Made here locally in Johnson City, TN. Came with a recommendation from the l9cal Power Co., and a $75 off your future electric bills rebate.
I like to buy/shop/support local businesses.0 -
when we bought our lake place the local REA there would give you an electric hot water heater....i went for one of those box on the wall instant on heaters instead to save space..3-40 amp heat pots.. so far so good ---they wouldn't work a deal on one of those... 0 -
quote:Originally posted by spasmcreek
when we bought our lake place the local REA there would give you an electric hot water heater....i went for one of those box on the wall instant on heaters instead to save space..3-40 amp heat pots.. so far so good ---they wouldn't work a deal on one of those...
I was going to go that route, but my incoming water temp is lower than they recommend.
Recommended incoming water temp was 65-70*. I have an underground spring fed tank. My incoming water is 50* or lower, in the wintertime. I gave it serious thought.0 -
I got tired of the tanks rusting through before the warranty was even up so I purchased a Rheem Marathon water electric heater with a plastic tank. The tank hasn't leaked but the original heating elements didn't last but a few years and when I went to replace them I found out Rheem had gone to a design only they sold and they were very pricey as well as not carried by any of the local stores. They have since gone to a titanium covering over the heating element instead of stainless like the original and the replacement has lasted so far. So if you happen to be considering one of them bare that in mind. 0 -
Another vote for A.O.Smith. We had our house built in 1994 and the A.O.Smith is still going perfect with zero problems 24 years later.
Best of luck, Don0 -
quote:Originally posted by 11b6r
Get an AO Smith. Put it on your calendar- once a year, flush the sediment out. Add an insulation jacket around the outside. We just replaced one from 1979.
101% agree. Same here in gas.0 -
funny, mine just went after 20 years service. it was a 55gal whirlpool.
started leaking up top. all the fittings are rusted. I know what i'll be doing when I get home in dec.0 -
On demand is fabulous - if it's gas. Gas ones will save you money, but electric on demand will add to your energy costs. That's for a full-time house. A cabin where you only use the water once in a while would be okay with electric on-demand. Probably preferable, in fact. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
On demand is fabulous - if it's gas. Gas ones will save you money, but electric on demand will add to your energy costs. That's for a full-time house. A cabin where you only use the water once in a while would be okay with electric on-demand. Probably preferable, in fact.
Very true. We have a guest room in our garage. I put a 3-4 gpm electric to heat the water. While it may be a little more expensive than gas, its infrequent use makes up for the cost of a tank model.0 -
A.O. Smith 0 -
They are recalling over 600000 AO Smith heaters, because they cause fires. Might be a good time to buy one, should have all the problems worked out by now and they might be cheap. 0 -
A.O. Smith is an excellent water heater, for years and years they were mostly sold for commercial installations, also good are Rheem, and Rudd.
I've installed hundreds of water heaters of all makes and models, commercial and residential, the one I have in my home is an A.O. Smith.0 -
If you don't have really hard water and have room for some more electrical connections in your box at home then you might consider instant electrical hot water tankless heaters with a Salt-Free Water Conditioner install.
serf0
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