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Emergency..need help

My ancient forced hot water system is leaking....
The pressure release valve is draining about a gallon every 40 minutes. How do I get this to stop until I can get a professional here? I have turned the heat off but it does not seem to of had any effect. I also jiggled the valve and opened and closed it to see if there was any sediment holding open the valve but this ilicited no improvement.

Comments

  • Take pressure off boiler

    Locate the source of cold water supply to the boiler and shut it off. If you can't determine which valve it is than go the main water source to your house and shut it off.
  • Did you close the shutoff valve

    to the pressure reducing valve ? Do you have an indirect heater or an internal coil connected to the boiler ? If one of those are leaking internally , you'll need to shut the valve to them also . And make sure the power is off to the boiler also , very critical .
  • tim_20
    tim_20 Member Posts: 41
    leaking valve

    it maybe that the makeup water regulator is letting in too much pressure or the boiler water is overheating. you can shut the make up water off and shutdown the boiler DO NOT SHUT THE VALVE UNLEsS YOU TURN OFF THE BOILER AND CALL FOR SERVICE. tim
  • lchmb
    lchmb Member Posts: 2,997
    MAKE SURE

    That boiler is shut down. It may also be a coil leaking, if you have one. If you have shutoff's to the coil shut them off also...Good luck!!
  • Bryan O'Neill
    Bryan O'Neill Member Posts: 9
    Thanks but

    Ok I shut off the coldwater inlet...
    But it is still leaking and I did that a while ago.
    This may sound silly but How do I turn the boiler off. The thermostats are in the off position. But I can still hear the pilot going. Should there be simple on off switch to this furnace?
  • If you can't find the switch

    shut the gas valve off . When you get someone in to fix the boiler , see if they can add a shutoff switch right at the boiler .
  • Bryan O'Neill
    Bryan O'Neill Member Posts: 9
    Help arrived

    Nstar came and drained the expansion tank which had about gallons of water in it. I tried to expand the tank but could not get the valve loose. I have a history with failed bulb valves. He then adjusted the water pressure. Since I had everything turned off when I got here he did not know the original water pressure. I do not believe it was higher than 15 but any the water has stopped leaking. I need a boiler. Anyway thanks for all your help. Any recommendation on the brand of system I should get.
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