AboutDana Bostick Expertise Pretty much any residential plumbing questions. Note: I live and work in Southern California. We do not as a rule use boilers, hot water or steam heating systems or wells so my knowledge in those areas is limited. There are others here that can probably answer those questions better.
"We all is city folk" out here! What is a "well" LOL
Experience Licensed General Contractor with Plumbing, HVAC and Electrical sub-licenses
Question Our 7month-old rheem 80gal water heater has a slow leak from the bottom apparently. The pressure relief valve was replaced 6 weeks ago as a possible fix but the water is not coming from there (we have isolated the outflow into a separate bucket and there has not been a drop from there). The installer came out again today and says our water pressure is between 85-90 and we need to install a pressure reducing valve on the main and an expansion tank by the water heater. he supposes the water is being forced out by the pressure but cannot find any water by any valve/connection or in the area around the thermostats or any of the piping. Do you think this is right or do we have a defective tank somehow? We find about 1/4 inch of water in one side of the pan when it leaks.
Answer Hello Lary,
Water heaters are rated to stand at least 300 PSI and should not leak.
85-90 is a bit high for normal house pressure though. It should be under 80 PSI so a regulator is in order. A correct installation should also include an expansion tank as well. This is NOT why the heater is leaking though. It may be defective. Call Rheem out on warranty.
Good Luck,
Dana
