i have a new problem with a relatively new water heater. About a month ago I noticed water running out of the pipe that is connected to the Pressure relief valve, I thought strange, it is a brand new WH, so I replaced it. Yesterday I decided to check it and low and behold it is dripping. We have the WH set to 120 degrees, always have. I know there is excessive pressure but I don't understand why. I did redo some of the piping for the HW, could that have caused this issue? We do not have an expansion tank and I am thinking we need one now. It is strange though, in all the years I have owned this house I have never had this issue until now.

Any suggestions/ideas are greatly appreciated

We had some issues in a commmerical building when there was a rule change requiring raising the water pressure. We never had a pressure regulator on the main water line coming in, and as a result of the pressure increase, had to install one.

That would be the first place I would check, see if your water pressure coming into the heater has gone up.

Your pressure regulator coming into you house could be bad

Mine drips a little in this kind of weather because of condensation in the brass PEX 45 degree where it turns down on the outside.

Check the pressure regulator, if not the issue an expansion tank may help.

David

If your water pressure to the house checks out ok, should be around 50-60psi then an expansion tank would fix it. I think most anything built in the last 20 years or more with at tank water heater has an expansion tank.

As others have said, water pressure is your issue. I had to replace twice before I figured it out. Installed a regulator and all is good since.

hard to say. How much water you talking about?
Also, it could be perfectly normal. When the w.h. was replaced, was a new pr valve installed, or was the old one used? If its a new one, it could just be a weaker spring or lower psi before release.
Might be a little trash, not allowing valve to full close, might open it all the way a few times and possibly clear any obstructions.

As others have said …pressure regulator. My hot water heater was doing the same thing, so I went and bought a new one for 800 dollars, I installed it and it still did the same exact thing. They had recently replaced some lines and meters on the main line by the road. I checked the pressure on an outside spigot and had almost 200 psi. So I started searching for a regulator and did not have one. Bought a regulator for 50 dollars and been fine since. They sell the pressure gauge at Lowe’s, so that you can check the pressure. Note: I installed a pressure gauge with the regulator, so if I have the need to adjust pressure I have a reading

This!

Thanks fellas. It is a dribble of water but not steady, and not pouring out. I just checked the pressure before the regulator and it reads 100 psi, after the regulator I get 75 psi. I suppose I could reduce the pressure coming in and see if it adjust. i would not think that 75 psi would be too much for the lines in our house.

75 is a little high. Not really for the pipes but the fill valves on toilets, relief valves, ice makers etc.

Install pressure bladder tank to allow for ex & contraction. All those relief valves were not bad when you put them in service. They're not bad now. Install a bladder tank.

Expansion tank will solve your issue

Thank you. I am going to reduce the water pressure to 60 psi and see what happens, may go ahead and install an expansion tank.

Also you said you re did some of the lines. You didn't remove an air chamber did you? Basically an air hammer or whatever they call it.

Put a pressure regulator valve on the line coming into your home , they’re maybe one in your home already that has gone bad. It’s usually close to where the water enters the home. Easy fix! I had the same exact problem. My pressure relief valve went bad after 30 years and I changed it and no more issues. It won’t just affect your water heater it can blow the seals in your toilets and faucets if pressure is too high. Most of the time it happens overnight when then pressure to homes are higher because people are sleeping and not using water. Get the adjustable type of valve and you can regulate it. Use shark bite compression fittings so you don’t have to solder.

I reduced the pressure to 60 psi so the pressure regulator is working. I am not sure if my reworking the hot water line did something or not. The pipe left the WH, went up about 2' and then turned 90 degree, ran up another 2 o3 3' and then did another 90 degree before entering the house. Do you think the extra pipe made that big of a difference? there is a small drip not an it is infrequent. I am going to purchase a Expansion tank and install it, we will see what happens.

Again, expansion tank will solve your issues. That is code afterall