The relief valve on our boiler is pouring out water (gurgling up like a low pressure drinking fountain). It is the valve on the pipe coming directly out the top of the boiler, so the water is leaking into the boiler. I tried turning the valve closed (since the pressure is only about 13), but the water was still coming out just as fast. We are planning to replace the boiler with a more efficient one this summer, anyway, but I am wondering what can be done for now. Will it be a problem to close the feeder line that supplies water to the boiler and to flip the breaker - basically turn the whole thing off? Is there another way to slow the flow of water?Thanks in advance.
With the heater down, turn the water getting into the tank off, you have a bladder tank like mine. turn off line to warmers additionally. Then open end plug on tank and drain. There might desire to be approximately 30 psi interior the bladder yet call the heating place that placed it in or, there will be a tag on the tank, a label someplace on the tank. close all the valves and open the water valve and notice what the rigidity is, you could ought to recharge the tank to the psi rated. only charging the tank might desire to convey it back in case you comprehend the psi.
What you don't want to do is shut off the relief valve to the boiler and allow the boiler to heat. An explosion can happen that can endanger life and property. If you turn of the heating circuit (assuming it is an electrical powered boiler) and isolate the water comming in, it should stop leaking. But NEVER isolate the relief valve to a boiler or hot water heater when it can still heat. EVER! ~
The leaking may be caused by a problem with something else Normal system pressures are about 12 psi and an expansion tank would be used maintain that pressure as water is being heated. If that tank loses it's air pocket or the diaphragm has ruptured it will have no place to expand and pressures will exceed the rating of the relief valve. Water will start leaking out and debris can stick in the seat not allowing it to seal even when pressures are below the relief setting. The expansion tank should be checked by a tech to be sure it's not waterlogged. This is the first thing to check when their is a relief valve leaking because normal system pressures would have to double before it is suppose to trip. The relief valve can be replaced at little expense as they can be purchased at your local hardware store for under $20. Keep in mind those boiler pressure gages notorious for sticking or getting plugged and no longer show the correct pressure. So common I keep a gage with a garden hose connection my tool box so I can connect to a drain valve to check it. Also make sure your reading the gage right, some will have two sets of numbers. Some show the pressure in feet of water column If you turned the fill line off it will eventually stop flowing but not until the pressure drops to 0 lbs.
