SOLVED: Loud sound from Water Heater Check Valve

[ziggy]

We replaced the plastic check valve on the top of the water heater soon after we bought this RV to prevent the leaking so many others had experienced. Since then, when we turn on hot water there is a high pitched, almost screaming kind of sound that is really annoying. Naturally it is more annoying to me than to Mark, but annoying just the same.

Do you guys have the same sound? Is that just the nature of the beast when switching to a metal valve, or did we get a bad valve?

I don't want to have Mark go through the pain of changing it out if that is just the way it goes. That is what he wanted to do, but I talked him into waiting for the experts to chime in.

Thanks,
Kristy

 

[danemayer]

Re: Loud sound from hot water heater fitting.

A lot of people have changed to brass valves without noise. If the noise started with the replacement, I'd think there might be something wrong with it.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Loud sound from hot water heater fitting.

Thanks Dan! I will let Mark know.
Kristy

 

[katkens]

Re: Loud sound from hot water heater fitting.

Why does water drip from my water heater's pressure and temperature (P&T) relief valve? This is a fixit from Suburban Water heaters you might try.
Answer:
You may experience water weeping or dripping from your water heater's pressure and temperature (P&T) relief valve when your water heater is operating. Water weeping or dripping does not mean that the P&T valve is defective. As water is heated, it expands. The water system in a recreational vehicle is a closed system and does not allow for the expansion of heated water. When the pressure of the water system exceeds the relieving point of the P&T valve, the valve will relieve the excess pressure.

One way to reduce the frequency of this occurrence is to maintain an air pocket at the top of the water heater tank. This air pocket will form in the tank by design - however, it will be reduced over time by the everyday use of your water heater. To replenish this air pocket:

Turn off the water heater.

Turn off the cold water supply line.

Open a faucet in the RV.

Pull out the handle of the pressure relief (P&T) valve and allow water to flow from the valve until it stops.

Release the handle on the P&T valve - it should snap closed.

Close the faucet and turn on the cold water supply. As the tank fills, the air pocket will develop. Repeat this procedure as often as needed to reduce the frequency of the weeping P&T valve. If the weeping persists after following this procedure, you may elect to have your dealer install an expansion or accumulator tank in the cold water line between the tank and check valve to relieve the pressure caused by thermal expansion.""

 

[ziggy]

Re: Loud sound from hot water heater fitting.

Forgot to come back and update everyone on this.

Mark took the valve off and found that it did not move freely so he went and got a new one. No more noise.

Kristy

 

[Gaffer]

Re: Loud sound from hot water heater fitting.

I looked at a 2015 BH the other day and had the tech remove the panel in the basement so I could see what check valves the new rigs are shipped with.. It was brass. Also it looks like cable and plumbing management has improved and I saw no sign of sawdust or other construction scrap.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Loud sound from hot water heater fitting.

We found that this coach was much cleaner and more organized behind the panel that our 08 was. The cables under the coroplast were not super neat, but now that Mark has replaced all of the insulation from the axles back and tied up the cables, it is nice and neat.

He replaced the insulation after our trip to Florence in the pouring rain. The water that got into the underbelly from the road just soaked the insulation. He replaced it with twice the R factor and sealed the coroplast in place this time.

Kristy

 

[jdfishing]

Hey Guys: Are you talking about a check valve on top (hot side) of the water heater? I have a brass fitting on the bottom (cold side), but the top plastic fitting looks like an ordinary 1" male/male nipple. Am I missing something?

 

[danemayer]

Hey Guys: Are you talking about a check valve on top (hot side) of the water heater? I have a brass fitting on the bottom (cold side), but the top plastic fitting looks like an ordinary 1" male/male nipple. Am I missing something?

The check valve is typically found where there's a single lever for the water heater bypass. If you have 3 separate valves to bypass the water heater, you may just have an ordinary nipple.