Dripping PVC pipe sticking out of basement

[Rookie24]

Hello. I need some help. I have a small PVC pipe sticking out of my basement and it drips onto our concrete patio downstairs. The house is around 15 years old and we bought it 3 years ago. The pipe rarely dripped when we moved in, but over the last few months it has become a steady drip of running water that keeps my patio wet. Whats going on here? Any ideas? The pipe is connected to my plumbing in the unfinished basement. Thank you for your help!

 

[voletl]

Do you know what exactly that pipe is hooked up to? Looks like a condensation termination to me. Or could be a relief valve piped outside.

 

[havasu]

If you determine that is coming from your water heater, then you will need to replace your TPR valve soon.

http://www.structuretech1.com/2012/01/leaking-relief-valve/

 

[Rookie24]

Thank you both for your input.

Havasu- Good idea, I checked my water heater and My TPR valve is connected to another PVC pipe running out the other side of the house so I think I'm safe on that one.

Voletl- The pipe comes into my basement, runs up the wall and connects the the rest of the PVC piping in the basement ceiling (main level floor).

 

[Rookie24]

Here are the inside pictures of the pipes going up the wall the the basement ceiling. The left pipe runs to my faucet outside and the right pipe on the wall runs to the pipe that is dripping outside. They both hit that main pipe that runs across the ceiling from front to back of house and there are other pipes connected to it along the way.

 

[voletl]

Can you tell me whether you have a well and or city water?

 

[voletl]

I'm wondering if that black part is a water hammer arrester with a relief on it. If it starts hammering, it dumps pressure to the outside. Could be wrong can't tell.

 

[Mr_David]

Looks like an adjustable pressure relief valve.
check your water pressure.

adjustable relief valve

 

[Rookie24]

I'm on city water. I got on a ladder to get this picture, I think its an adjustable pressure relief valve after all. I was able to hear a hissing sound (sounded like air, not running water) from it as I was up there getting the close up.

So, does it seem like my pressure may be too high?

What next? Check my water pressure and then reduce the pressure at the PRV on the main line to the house if it's too high? It should be 40-50 PSI right?

Thank you all for your help, I really appreciate it!

 

[voletl]

I would assume if its leaking all the time I'm saying the relief valve went bad I would replace.

 

[Mr_David]

Check water pressure first. If high you may have to replace the PRV. A lot of PRV's have a range of 15 -75psi. If pressure is over 80psi the PRV is no good. Replace it. Then change the relief valve after you fixed the pressure. you m,ay have to temporarily remove the leaking valve relief valve to get accurate reading of PRV.