Question:
We recently bought a new 50 gallon water heater and 2 days after installing it, water came gushing out of the pressure relief valve. The manufacturer of the waterheater advised if our water pressure was too high, it would cause the presurre to build up in the waterheater. We had our pressure measured at about 145-150 p.s.i. Is this true or is the water heater defective? Can having high water pressure cause other damages?
Answer:
Your water pressure to the house should be around 65 PSI. The pressure relief valve on the heater is probably only rated at 150 PSI. Add on the fact that hot water pressure increases due to thermal expansion at least 20 more PSI. Have a pressure regulator installed immediately before the heater blows. Now that the manufacturer knows you have high pressure they probably won’t cover the warranty on the tank. You can also blow your supply lines under the sinks and/or the water lines in the house.