Sounds like pop off valve leaking....

[Rocks]

State Scout 30 gal elect (16 years old) started making almost a whistling noise. Cycled the pop off a coup[le times + it stopped. Now, sounds like water running past it. Water isn't too hot, I keep the heater turned down low. This is in a modular home in the country + I have a well. If I had city water, not a real big deal. But with a well, this will make my pump run constantly. Is it worth replacing the pop off, or is this caused by another problem? Thanx

 

[Reach4]

It should be easy to look at the output of the T&P valve output to see if water is coming out. I don't think that water exit is supposed to be hidden.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Rocks]

It should be easy to look at the output of the T&P valve output to see if water is coming out. I don't think that water exit is supposed to be hidden.

It's actually piped thru the floor + into the crawl space under the house. I can't see it from the access point.

 

[Reach4]

Turn off the water to the input to the WH. Does that sound stop?

 

[Jadnashua]

There are three reasons why a T&P valve might release water:
1. The temperature is too high (nearly boiling)
2. The pressure is too high (nearly 150psi)
3. It is defective or gunked up

If it is opening because of either of the first two, replacing it won't help...you need to find the reason why and fix it.

If it's the last one, replacing it should help, but may be masking the fact that it was opening because of # 1-2. Repeated opening can cause mineral deposits, and gunk it up. If you have some sand pumped up, and the valve opened, it might get under the seal and cause it to leak, but that's much less likely.

 

[MACPLUMB]

and you need the drain ran outside the wall to where it can be seen per code,
all that moisture under the house is just going to make your under floor mold and rot out