Water heater is overfilling

[illusion88]

So my water heater is overfilling. There is a pressure release valve that leaks water, every now and then. Sometimes it comes out at alarming rates, almost as much as if I opened the valve at full blast. It also makes a horrible screeching noise.

When you turn on water around the hosue, this noise goes away. IT will also stop leaking. If you turn off the cold water input, the screeching noise goes away, so does the leak.

What the hell is wrong with my water pressure or water heater?

 

[KK]

I would say your pressure release valve is failing.

 

[MadAmos]

That or a thermostat that is not working properly I say have it checked out before you have a larger problem like

 

[KMc]

Originally posted by: KK
I would say your pressure release valve is failing.

most likely this.

A water heater tank is basically just a pressure vessel. As water leaves, it refills. There's no way to "overfill" it. Your valve is failing, letting water out at pressure that it used to handle normally, causing the tank to refill, cycle repeats.

Only other option is that you've had some atypical increase in your house water pressure....

 

[robphelan]

Originally posted by: KMc

Originally posted by: KK
I would say your pressure release valve is failing.

most likely this.

A water heater tank is basically just a pressure vessel. As water leaves, it refills. There's no way to "overfill" it. Your valve is failing, letting water out at pressure that it used to handle normally, causing the tank to refill, cycle repeats.

Only other option is that you've had some atypical increase in your house water pressure....

another vote for the pressure relief valve - same thing happened to me.

part = ~$5.. took 2 minutes to replace.

 

[Joemonkey]

why would you need to heat hot water?

 

[OrganizedChaos]

as other have said its most likely a shot T&P valve, less likely is a malfunctioning thermostat.