Water Heater Relief Device

[Esacnj]

Is it normal for pressure relief valve/device to release small amount of water periodically?

[Old-Biscuit]

[pyoung47]

Once tripped, they will often leak a bit. My trailer is an outdoor dog, so it’s not a big deal. If you are anal, replace it — and in due time, it too will dribble.

[cummins2014]

ford truck guy wrote:
I have found over the years that IF they start leaking there usually are 2 ways to go ( in my eyes)
1- open and close the valve a few times, sometimes a small piece of debris will be stuck there allowing for a leak..
2- more likely you will have to replace the valve, which is quick, easy and painless.

That’s the first thing I did, open and close. Mine had just got bad would not seal . Yes it’s easy and inexpensive to replace . I didn’t mess with mine much , just replaced it .

[ford_truck_guy]

"We think too much alike!"

for the most part... Who knows, perhaps your my long lost brother from the other coast ! 🙂

[Cummins12V98]

"1- open and close the valve a few times, sometimes a small piece of debris will be stuck there allowing for a leak."

We think too much alike!

[alboy]

OUR suburban was doing the drip from the relief valve , did a complte flush ,no help, changed the thermostat , fifteen minute job , no more issues

[Esacnj]

Thanks to all. I will try to re establish air pocket.

[wildtoad]

I had the same problem with my Suburban WH and no procedure worked to fix it. There is nothing wrong with your valve most likely, it is a design issue with the water heater IMO. Suburban knows it’s a problem, says so in their manual, and has no plans to correct this feature. I struggled with this issue for four years and finally took Suburbans work around their problem solution.The only solution is to install a small pressure tank inline with the water heater. The pressure created by the heating of the water is absorbed by the tank and not blown out the relief valve.

I never had this pressure relief issue with an Atwood in five other motorhomes.

[ford_truck_guy]

I have found over the years that IF they start leaking there usually are 2 ways to go ( in my eyes)
1- open and close the valve a few times, sometimes a small piece of debris will be stuck there allowing for a leak..
2- more likely you will have to replace the valve, which is quick, easy and painless.

[cummins2014]

OP , there you go , plenty of answers , but yes they do get bad . Mine started dripping , replaced it , and no more dripping . As far as the air pocket and all that , never had those issues or had to do all that draining and whatever . All that has been mentioned could happen it sounds like . I just replaced it .

[DownTheAvenue]

The relief valve is doing its job and is functioning correctly. IT DOES NOT NEED REPLACING. As the water heats it expands. In the small RV system, there is little room for that expansion to be absorbed, so the water heater is supposed to have an air pocket that can be compressed by the expansion. Remember, air can be compressed, but water cannot. You can solve the leaking relief valve problem by doing three things: 1. install an expansion relief tank, 2. re-establish the air pocket in the water hater, or 3. merely open a hot water spigot (valve) in the RV.

[larry_barnhart]

Several years ago when we were back from the winter I removed the relief valve and soaked it in vinagar for 2 days. Looked new and no leaks. Had many old timers not know about the air chamber. Thermostat can make water too hot and valve will drop. Chevman

[Cummins12V98]

Open and close the relief handle a few times. Be careful with the hot water coming out. Quick bursts.

[bob213]

Lynnmor is correct about air pocket. Atwood seem to have this problem more than Suburban. No need to drain entire tank.

try this:
1. Turn off the water heater.
2. Turn off the cold water supply line.
3. Open a faucet in the RV.
4. Pull out the handle of the pressure relief (P&T) valve and allow water to flow from the valve until it stops.
5. Release the handle on the P&T valve - it should snap closed.
6. Close the faucet and turn on the cold water supply. As the tank fills, the air pocket will develop. Repeat this procedure as often as needed to reduce the frequency of the weeping P&T valve.