Why Don't I Rent Anymore?

March 27, 2007 6:15 PM

A pipe in the basement is dripping. It goes to the boiler. What can I do to make it stop? Do I need a plumber? (Pictures inside)

Here is a picture of the part that is dripping. The water seems to be coming from this piece. Here is a picture of the entire apparatus. Thanks! As a new homeowner, any info is appreciated.

posted by toddst to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

Looks like a pressure/temperature relief valve. It's safety equipment. Get a plumber.
posted by flabdablet at 6:19 PM on March 27, 2007

Pressure reducing valve- it's probably the first thing the pipe goes to when it comes into the building. Can you tell what part it's leaking from - the four-bolted flange, or the threads up top?
posted by notsnot at 6:24 PM on March 27, 2007

Response by poster: flabadablet: thanks for the quick response.

Does anyone know if we should turn off the boiler until a plumber arrives or would it be okay to leave it on? Right now, the drip is pretty slow.
posted by toddst at 6:25 PM on March 27, 2007

Response by poster: notsnot: It is coming from the threads where it connects to a longer pipe (on the side with the red handle).
posted by toddst at 6:29 PM on March 27, 2007

You know, I didn't notice the part where you said "boiler" instead of water heater, but my identification still stands. It will likely do you no good to turn off the boiler, and be cold, until the plumber gets there. He'll have to determine where to shut things off/open drains until the part that's dripping doesn't have water in it so he can solder.

The plumber will likely unsolder the threaded fitting, and try to tighten the threads, or just replace it. Looks like a 1" male iron pipe (that's the kind of thread; I know it's copper) to sweat adapter fitting.
posted by notsnot at 7:03 PM on March 27, 2007

We have an ancient boiler and soon after we moved into our house water started to pour out of the pressure relief valve every time the heat went on (and as we're in Calgary, and it was February, this was pretty often). This was, as it turned out, because the membrane in the expansion tank (that big grey thing in your second picture) had ruptured. Repair person replaced the expansion tank but with one too small- problem persisted with a bit less pouring (more "dripping") from the pressure relief, but we needed a larger expansion tank. If this is your problem be sure to get a large enough expansion tank.
posted by ethnomethodologist at 8:19 PM on March 27, 2007

Response by poster: Thanks for the replies. We called a plumber and he should be here in a day or two. I am just relieved that it seems to be nothing major (and that I can keep the heat on).
posted by toddst at 8:53 PM on March 27, 2007