Water Heater / Thermal Expansion

[Robert Knight]

I have a five year old A.O. Smith gas water heater. Over the last months, I have been having occassional release of water through the pressure release valve. Over time, it became worse and we recently installed a thermal expansion tank. It worked fine for about 10 days, but the last couple of days I have been getting some release of water again, although not as bad or frequent as before. There is definitely a pressure or thermal expansion issue as the valve has been replaced. When it is leaking at the valve, I can turn on water at a faucet and Ill get a quick burst of pressure and then it will be normal and the release at the water heater stops. Of course, in the course of all this, I could have bought two new water heaters if that is the problem. Any suggestions? Possibly, a thermostat problem in that it is overheating the water even more than the thermal expansion tank can take (thus explaining why it is somewhat better now)?

[Jay PriceParticipant]

: I have a five year old A.O. Smith gas water heater. Over the last months, I have been having occassional release of water through the pressure release valve. Over time, it became worse and we recently installed a thermal expansion tank. It worked fine for about 10 days, but the last couple of days I have been getting some release of water again, although not as bad or frequent as before. There is definitely a pressure or thermal expansion issue as the valve has been replaced. When it is leaking at the valve, I can turn on water at a faucet and Ill get a quick burst of pressure and then it will be normal and the release at the water heater stops. Of course, in the course of all this, I could have bought two new water heaters if that is the problem. Any suggestions? Possibly, a thermostat problem in that it is overheating the water even more than the thermal expansion tank can take (thus explaining why it is somewhat better now)?cut off water to tank and relive pressure, with a air guage check pressure in expansion tank(15/20 #). if tank is ok then have thermo couple checked. you might also check the temp of water at a close by faucet when the water is at its hottest point and see if it is near your thermo setting

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