I had a steady drip from the pressure relief valve on my well water pressure tank. Looked at the gauge and it was full of water and not working. Put in new 75 psi relief valve and got the same steady drip. Put in new 40/60 pressure switch and new gauge. Set tank air to 38 psi. Gauge says pressure isn't exceeding 60 psi, but relief valve is still dripping. Any ideas why?
Weeping pressure relief valve
- Thread starter Beerlover
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I’d change the relief valve again if the pressure gauge says it’s 60 psi but 75psi valve is dripping.
wpns
Well-Known Member
Try working it a few times on and off and see if it seals, otherwise, as twowaxhack says, replace it again. It's possible you got some grit in the seal. Also send pictures.
When you had it apart, did you run a few cycles down to zero pressure to clean out the bottom of the pressure tank? I always found I'd get a lot of crud out of the pressure tank when it went to zero pressure.
When you had it apart, did you run a few cycles down to zero pressure to clean out the bottom of the pressure tank? I always found I'd get a lot of crud out of the pressure tank when it went to zero pressure.
I didn't think of that. I'll definitely flush it when I take it apart again.
The relief valve should’ve never operated in order to get grit in the seal.
Unless you operated the relief valve for some reason. But operating the valve wouldn’t be a bad idea. It might stop dripping. It might stop on its own after a while. I suppose anything’s possible.
Unless you operated the relief valve for some reason. But operating the valve wouldn’t be a bad idea. It might stop dripping. It might stop on its own after a while. I suppose anything’s possible.
wpns
Well-Known Member
They _SAY_ you are supposed to test them manually at least yearly, but I've also seen them get 'soft' if they are activated too often (solar hot water panels with no circulation), so "Darned if you do and darned if you don't".
wpns
Well-Known Member
No idea, take it off and put it on a test jig. Beerlover, do you have that or something like P1000AXL-125C - Pressure Relief Valve: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific with a test/activation lever?
Unscrew the cap and tighten the adjuster until it stops leaking. It is just set too close to the pump of pressure. 75 is very close to 60 for a pressure relief valve.
That was going to be my comment - I don't think I can manually open it.
I piped it to a floor drain for now. It's still dripping, but into the drain instead of into the carpet in the next room.
I’d install a 100 psi relief then.
But I’m assuming he’s replacing what he already had and it was working before.
That’s a better type valve. For sure. I wonder if they make it in 100 psi flavor ?
