How do I stop my water heater overflowing?

Question

My water heater is pumping water out the expansion pipe onto the roof and this is an obvious waste of electric - How can I fix it?

Answer 1

it's possible the over heat valve  is leaking you can replace it ,turn off power let cool ,buy a new valve ,replace ,turn it on check for leak.....tom

Answer 2

Very strange. I have never heard of a water heater installed on a roof.

Water heaters are designed to protect against ruptures by venting water though a pressure relief valve when pressure exceeds a predermined amount.

It sounds like your pressure relief valve is stuck open. Sometimes, you can get it to close by working the arm on top of the valve up and down. If the pressure inside the heater is too high, let the valve do its job by venting pressure, otherwise the tank may explode. Pressure becomes too high if the inlet pressure is too high (install a pressure regulator) or the heater is heating the water to an excessive temperature (set the thermostat to a lower temperature)

Answer 3

you can not you need a new one this has happend to me too. So the best thing to do is to geet a new one.

Answer 4

You may need to replace the pop off valve. This valve is designed to relieve the pressure on the water heater if something should go haywire in the heating controls,before it explodes. They wear out like anything else. They cost less than 20 bucks.You may have to sweat the relief valve pipe loose and unscrew the old one from the tank. The unit will need to be shut down. The water supply will also need to be turned off.  

Answer 5

Not only is it a waste of electricity, but also a hugh waste of water.  You need to shut off the supply valve to the water heater, and let the pressure run out, and let the heater cool down.  Just replacing the Temperature and pressure relief valve, will not explain why it opened in the first place.  It could be your thermostat is bad.  I would recommend a plumber to investigate this problem.  Good luck!