Leaking pressure relief valve by water meter.

[TheGribble]

Hi all,

I've got a dripping pressure relief valve on the very odd plumbing by my water meter - the setup looks like this:

The cold water comes in from the mains through the large blue valve to the water meter, through the pressure gauge which reads about 3.5 bar then hits the 6 bar pressure relief valve in the top left of the picture and then p!sses out of the unconnected exit from the valve and all over the floor.

I've got a few questions about this setup - why is that pressure relief valve here, why is it just dangling over the floor, why is it leaking if the system's only at 3.5 bar and can I just remove it and cap the pipe off?

Cheers,

Ben.

 

[wattsie1987]

Hi all,

I've got a dripping pressure relief valve on the very odd plumbing by my water meter - the setup looks like this:
View attachment 24313
The cold water comes in from the mains through the large blue valve to the water meter, through the pressure gauge which reads about 3.5 bar then hits the 6 bar pressure relief valve in the top left of the picture and then p!sses out of the unconnected exit from the valve and all over the floor.

I've got a few questions about this setup - why is that pressure relief valve here, why is it just dangling over the floor, why is it leaking if the system's only at 3.5 bar and can I just remove it and cap the pipe off?

Cheers,

Ben.

The pressure relief valves be there in case of the failure or the pressure reducing valve to protect appliances but should be terminated correctly. It will be dripping due to either a defective pressure gauge/reducing valve or most probably have crud on the seating due to it previously opening. You need a plumber to look at it to be honest and replace necessary parts and install a correct termination.

 

[TheGribble]

Ok, thank you! I'll get someone to have a look.

 

[Stanios]

Good grief, have someone over asap! Theres a waste pipe right by that prv could be simple case of putting a new fitting to allow it to discharge there (not strictly following the regs but better than letting it out all over your floor!). As wattsie mentioned it shouldnt be discharging under normal circumstances. Presence of those valves suggests you have some sort of unvented cylinder for hot water or at least an expansion vessel. Your valve is leting out water because that pressure vessel lost the air pocket, built up water pressure escaping from the pressure relief.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

and might be worth adding a lever valve in stop tap after the meter

 

[SimonG]

Really, it's something i've never come across before. Is it a regional thing required to appease local bye laws?
I would probably say it's been slapped on to just cap off the pipe.

Must admit that was my first thought 🙂 Looks shinier than anything else under there. Remnants of a water heater?

 

[Sharp Point]

Oops! Just deleted post, was wanting to edit again..

Hic!!! The Christmas merrymaking has started, things are getting shaky....

 

[TheGribble]

I think it's just shinier because I cleaned it up - when it was just dripping I wrapped it in paper to see whether it was actually venting or if the joint was leaking, half an hour later it started properly running and answered that. Calmed down a bit later, though. i actually tried replacing it last night in case the valve was sticking - identical new one started dripping exactly the same, so it looks like it might genuinely be over pressure; the metre on the PRV still never goes above 4 though?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I think it's just shinier because I cleaned it up - when it was just dripping I wrapped it in paper to see whether it was actually venting or if the joint was leaking, half an hour later it started properly running and answered that. Calmed down a bit later, though. i actually tried replacing it last night in case the valve was sticking - identical new one started dripping exactly the same, so it looks like it might genuinely be over pressure; the metre on the PRV still never goes above 4 though?

What's the blow off rated to should be on the top

 

[Unregistered]

What's the blow off rated to should be on the top

Says 6 bar on it - it's one of these: Altecnic Safety Relief Valves Seris 312 - Altecnic from JTM Plumbing Limited UK

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Says 6 bar on it - it's one of these: Altecnic Safety Relief Valves Seris 312 - Altecnic from JTM Plumbing Limited UK

If it's 6 bar it shouldn't be leaking time to call a G3 plumber out

 

[Unregistered]

Think you're right - thank you!

 

[townfanjon]

Apologies if I am missing something here but what is downstream of the valve, anything ??