Plumbing question

[WTXTundra]

So this water heater was installed about a year ago and the relief valve is starting to look like this. I didn’t have any leaks when I installed it. Any suggestions why the build up is happening?

 

[BrandonV]

Leak. I'd shut it off, drain, re-Teflon & pipe dope.

Doesn't take a lot to get a little crusty around the edges.

 

[DarryT]

Always use BOTH Teflon tape & pipe dope

 

[The Cobbler]

It's leaked, It's probably sealed itself by the looks of it.

 

[Shiftless]

It's leaked, It's probably sealed itself by the looks of it.

That’s my experience too. Very minor leaks in threaded fittings usually seal themselves after a while.

 

[CraigStu]

I think I'd watch it for a while before taking it apart. My concern would be that you tape and dope it and put it back together and then have a hard time getting it to clock in a good position.

 

[wood02]

My grandfather used "cotton cloth strips" wrapped around" weeping joint and then tied off. This in the day when pipe dope and Teflon tape was not "known" to the general public as it is now. He was born in 1903 and passed in 1984. He knew a lot of "stuff" that worked and probably would be laughed at today. The cotton strip does work...try it and I think you will be surprised.

 

[BrandonV]

My grandfather used "cotton cloth strips" wrapped around" weeping joint and then tied off. This in the day when pipe dope and Teflon tape was not "known" to the general public as it is now. He was born in 1903 and passed in 1984. He knew a lot of "stuff" that worked and probably would be laughed at today. The cotton strip does work...try it and I think you will be surprised.

No joke if you have damaged threads I've seen the old wick work wonders.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Wal-rich-1906004-Spool-Wick

 

[The Cobbler]

in the days of hot water heating,apparently it was common for joints to weep, and they just left them to "rust" sealed

 

[nadogail]

When I observed Plumbers working in Spain (1966) they used cotton fibers and oil based paint as Pipe Dope.

 

[rlitman]

The pressure relief valve is supposed to have it's outlet facing down, and be 6" from the floor, with no threads on the lower end of the pipe (so it can't easily be capped). Is yours facing horizontally, so it directs steam into your face if the system overheats?

I suspect that turning it another 90 degrees tighter may fix your leak.

 

[housewolf]

I’d probably take it out clean it up, put some pipe dope on it, reinstallI, and check for leaks. Is there a pan under the WH? At the very least pipe the relief valve into the pan. Most places want it going to a drain or safely outdoors. You’ll likely have a mess if it pops off as it is unless it’s outdoors. If it’s outdoors, point it down or put a 90 on it