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| Joined: | Thu Mar 4th, 2010 |
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I need your help in finding the root cause for the leak on a Pressure Relief valve rated at 150psi.
I have 2 50 Gal Water heaters installed in Parallel in my garage(as I can turn off cold inlet on one heater, and still get hot water-turning off both inlets shuts down Hot water flow).
On one of the 2 year old tanks the Pressure Relief Valve (PRV) is leaking now, which was replaced a year ago due to similar issue. Shutting the cold inlet and throwing PRV to release several times doesn't help.
My own gauge says Water pressure is between 90-110psi range when heater is idle/fireing. Seems high to me. A year ago the city cked it and said pressure was normal, but I cannot remember the PSI then.
I'm pretty sure I have a backflow preventer at the street meter as the neighborhood is only 10 yrs old, and confirm I have no expansion tank, nor a Water Pressure regulator (unless city installed it at the street)
Since this is the 2nd PRV on with the leakage on the same 2 yr old heater, I'm thinking the root cause is excessive water pressure.
So, my questions are...In order to verify the root cause, (since the PRV is just a symptom),
1. should I have a plumber ensure there is a water pressure regulator is installed first at the street, and verify "normal" pressure at about 70psi, before I walk down the Thermal expansion tank route inside the house?
2. OR Should I install a expans tank, and a new PRV....? or do #1 and #2-seems extreme.
2a. If you think I should install a expansion tank, should I install 2 of em, one per water heater inlet or just a single exp tank on one of the heaters inlet?
Thanks in advance,