RV Water Heaters provide the luxury of using hot water for a bath and other activities like cleaning utensils while RVing in cold locations. However, just like every other RV component RV Water Heater also needs maintenance. Additionally, how frustrating it will get when you find the RV hot water relief valve leaking on your trip, and you may not get hot water for some time.
It isn’t easy to replace the RV water heater relief valve. Besides, it can get costly. However, not all reasons require you to replace the Water Heater Relief Valve with a new one. At some time, you can fix it yourself with some essential tools.
In this article, we are going to share a few reasons that lead to RV Hot Water Heater Relief Valve leaking and how you can solve the issue.
Contents
Working Of A RV Water Heater
The tank of a RV water heater gets filled with water. Then, the water filled in the tank gets heated with either gas or electricity. Heating the water increase its temperature, and thus water expands, resulting in high pressure inside the tank. If the RV hot water heater relief valve leaking occurs, it does not let the tank fill up and thus prevents the water from heating.
The Role Of A Relief Valve
The relief valve is an important safety feature of a water heater. It saves the heater from damage or explosion when the water in the unit gets too hot, or the built-up pressure gets too high.
In the condition of high water temperature of pressure, the water heater triggers the relief valve to open up and release some water out of the tank until they get back to normal. Thus, you must ensure that the RV hot water heater relief valve leaking should not happen as it will not let the water inside the tank attain the required pressure or temperature.
Location of the Relief Valve
To check the condition of the RV hot water heater relief valve leaking, you must first know where is the relief valve located.
The relief valve is an extension of the tank in the form of a small pipe. It usually lies on the exterior of an RV and is covered with a barrier to keep it intact.
Is My RV Hot Water Heater Relief Valve Leaking?
If you see water coming out from the water heater, it does not necessarily mean that your RV hot water heater relief valve leaking. Thus, if you see water coming out of the relief RV water heater relief valve, there can be two possibilities mentioned below.
The relief valve is working correctly and the way it should. The water is draining out to reduce the tank’s pressure.
The water is unintentionally dripping because of something like a faulty seal. Hence, it is a condition of RV hot water heater relief valve leaking.
In both cases, you need to take serious measures. If there is a frequent need for a relief valve, it indicates an issue with your water heater. It is a symbol of unsafe temperature or pressure in your water heater.
One of the critical conditions you must look after is if your RV water heater relief valve is stuck or has another problem, you need to fix it or replace it right away. It is a more dangerous condition than RV hot water heater relief valve leaking.
Reasons and Solutions for RV Hot Water Relief Valve Leaking
Many reasons lead to RV hot water heater relief valve leaking continuously. Besides, you cannot fix the problem without knowing the cause. Hence, we have listed a few common reasons for RV hot water heater relief valve leaking and the solutions for the same.
1. Controlling Boiler Limit
If you have a heating boiler and if the temperature inside gets higher than it should excessively, then you might want to get it checked.
Such situations occur because of a defective control or mistakes in setting the temperature limits. However, excessive water temperatures cause water expansion and RV hot water heater relief valve leaking.
Solution
The solution to this problem is straightforward. All you need to do is ensure the set temperature of the boiler is correct or not.
If not, set the right temperature, and you are good to go. However, if there is a defect in the boiler’s control, you must get it fixed as soon as possible.
2. Confined Hot Water System
It is prevalent to have temperature changes in a water heater. However, the temperature variation might affect the relief valve and induce RV hot water heater relief valve leaking.
Solution
To keep such problems at bay, do a regular check-up of your hot water system. In addition, regular maintenance of the entire system does not let such issues develop or worsen over time.
3. Defect In Expansion Tank
The expansion tank is often used to save the primary tank from pressurizing more. Hence, you may have a defect in the expansion tank if there is an RV hot water heater relief valve leaking.
A defective expansion tank can be problematic even in regular heat and pressure conditions. Besides, it also causes water spillage from the relief valve.
Solution
The expansion tank itself is the solution to RV hot water heater relief valve leaking. You need to take out and check the defective expansion tank.
Check whether the defect is repairable or not. If it is fixable, spend a few bucks and get it repaired. However, if there is a significant defect, then buy a new expansion tank.
4. Water Heater Defect
RV hot water heater relief valve leaking can also be possible because of a simple defect like a leak in the main tank or water heater.
Whenever the pressure is high inside your tank and if it reaches the relief valve without any barrier, there will be a situation of RV hot water heater relief valve leaking.
Solution
The main job of a water heater is temperature and pressure fluctuation. Unfortunately, many people select a water heater made of cheap and low-quality material.
Such water heaters fail to stand the fluctuating temperature and pressure and lead to RV hot water heater relief valve leaking. Besides, if there is an internal leak, you may have to take out the whole water system and then check it to fix it.
Thus, we recommend you to buy a good quality water heating system for better results and long-lasting.
5. Relief Valve Defects
Relief Valve defects may lead to RV hot water heater relief valve leaking. For instance, dirt and debris often get collected while closing the valve and might not let you close the valve properly. In such cases, water makes its way to come out.
Valve seat corrosion and related issues may also lead to RV hot water heater relief valve leaking. Moreover, excessive force might crack the relief valve’s seat and create a leak.
Solution
The solution to this problem requires you first to try to tighten the relief valve seat. However, if there are cracks or the relief valve is getting loose, you need to replace them with new ones.
Take a wrench to replace the old relief valve with the new one. Do not fix it too tight as it may break the valve or the seat.
Conclusion
The relief valve is an essential component of a water heater system. You cannot and must not operate the hot water system with a defective or damaged relief valve.
Therefore, the moment you find the RV hot water heater relief valve leaking, look out for all the possible defects and fix them.
You can keep our article handy to ensure you may not miss out on a possible fix.