Gas indoor hot water heater

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Gas indoor hot water heater - filling noise

Dulouz

883 posts

Ultimate Geek

#282620 2-Mar-2021 08:15

I have a Rheem 170L gas indoor water heater (mains pressure). 11 years old. It sounds like it is filling all the time even though no taps are on. The filling doesn't seem to trigger the gas heating at all. The relief valve is working fine. Any ideas on what the issue would be?

Amanon

elbrownos

109 posts

Master Geek

#2666598 2-Mar-2021 08:39

There should be a ball valve on the cold water supply to the cylinder, if you turn it off does the noise stop?

Dulouz

883 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2666604 2-Mar-2021 08:53

elbrownos:
There should be a ball valve on the cold water supply to the cylinder, if you turn it off does the noise stop?

I’ll try tonight when I return

Amanon

Dulouz

883 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2666904 2-Mar-2021 17:58

Turns out I can't turn the ball valve as it has seized and I don't want to break it.

There is a smaller pipe running straight down which is warm to touch. The noise seems to be coming from this area so I guess there is an issue around there.

I guess I need a plumber?

Amanon

Froglotion

208 posts

Master Geek

#2666944 2-Mar-2021 20:12

If you're not in a hurry I'll.try ask a plumber tomorrow or next day, see what they say.

Scott3

3963 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2666971 2-Mar-2021 21:28

Dulouz:

Turns out I can't turn the ball valve as it has seized and I don't want to break it.

There is a smaller pipe running straight down which is warm to touch. The noise seems to be coming from this area so I guess there is an issue around there.

I guess I need a plumber?

Yip.

That seized valve will be replaced at a minimum. If you ever have a failure in the system, you want the isolation valves to work as designed.

That warm pipe is most likely running from an over pressure relief valve (usually on top of the cylinder) to a drain. In short water expands as it is heated, so a little need's to be released in order to stop the cylinder from popping. Sometimes the valve's fail so they don't close correctly and you end up in your situation. Plumber will be able to fix or replace that valve too.

DonH

230 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2667163 3-Mar-2021 09:12

As well as getting the pressure relief valve replaced, have you had the anode replaced since the tank was new? If not, get the plumber to do that as well. (Mains pressure tanks are made of steel, enamel coated on the inside. The coating develops cracks and the steel eventually rusts through. The anode is a metal rod hanging down inside the tank, it is designed to corrode first and thus protect the steel. It eventually corrodes away and the steel starts to rust. It's supposed to be replaced every 5 years or so for continued protection.)

Also, once you get the valve replaced remember to lift the lever on it for a few seconds every few months. Dirt can accumulate in the valve and jam in it when it opens slightly to release the expanding water. Opening it wide for a second or two flushes it.

People hear what they see. - Doris Day

Froglotion

208 posts

Master Geek

#2667559 3-Mar-2021 23:12

Froglotion: If you're not in a hurry I'll.try ask a plumber tomorrow or next day, see what they say.

Plumber didn't show up to the job sorry, so I couldn't ask them about this. It does sound like it needs a looking at by a plumber though.

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Dulouz

883 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2667573 4-Mar-2021 07:24

Froglotion:

Froglotion: If you're not in a hurry I'll.try ask a plumber tomorrow or next day, see what they say.

Plumber didn't show up to the job sorry, so I couldn't ask them about this. It does sound like it needs a looking at by a plumber though.

No worries man. Working with my plumber now. Seems (TBC) it's an issue with the cold water expansion valve.

Amanon