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System 2000 leaks

turbo400
turbo400 Member Posts: 10
I had a brand new system 2000 installed about 2 1/2 years ago and it has already started leaking in 2 areas. One area is the pressure relief valve that is on the side of the hot water tank which got replaced. The other leak is on the backflow siphon fitting that sits on top of the boiler. It came originally came with a bleed off type of nut but my boiler tech removed it and put a plug on it, but it still leaks. He says now that I have to have a new expansion tank put in. Any thoughts on why this valve is leaking after such a short time. Also, would these parts be covered under warranty.

Comments

  • turbo400
    turbo400 Member Posts: 10

  • turbo400
    turbo400 Member Posts: 10

  • turbo400
    turbo400 Member Posts: 10

  • turbo400
    turbo400 Member Posts: 10

  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,506
    First of all, it most likely has nothing to do with the brand of boiler, or the boiler itself.

    I would check the quality of your water, for starters.
    A couple of things.

    It appears the relief valve is on the domestic side of things. That would open (weep) on excessive incoming water pressure, back flow preventer on incoming water service and lack of proper charge with a domestic rated expansion tank.
    It's also known to happen with houses that have automatic sprinkler systems.
    I would put my own gauge on the system (has a deadman arm) to see if water pressure is exceeding the relief valve setting.
    Domestic relief valves also open on temperature.
    Once the valve weeps, or opens, it may not be sealing correctly, so it continues to weep. You may be able to flush it out and have it seat.

    The back flow preventer is a different issue. However, it may be weeping from excessive domestic water pressure.
    I would replace it, and put a ball valve before it, and one after the water feed, closed and add a low water cut-off.
    Water pressure should be checked everyday, or at least every time you walk past the boiler.

    I would have your tech check both expansion tanks (isolated) for proper charge, before replacing either one, and make sure they match their respected pressures.
    steve
    GBart
  • turbo400
    turbo400 Member Posts: 10
    How would you go about checking the quality of the water, is there some type of specific test to run in this situation.
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,021
    It not a wise idea to plug that port in the back flow device. It renders the valve unless and boiler water could flow into the potable water source under the right, or wrong condition :)

    Whoever plugged it did you no favor. As Steve mentioned, excessive pressure is one of the main causes of tank relief valves seeping.

    In fact high pressure and any water hammer would cause both of those valves to seep, drip or fail.

    Find a plumber that knows how to check line pressure and add a domestic water expansion tank.

    Also both valves should have a pipe to the floor from those discharge posts, by code.
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 5,804
    Is there a domestic extrol piped to the domestic cold and charged to street pressure?
    It's fairly common for the T&P to leak when changing tanks when there is no domestic extrol.
    These are not EK parts, so it's not the boiler. The leaks are telling you something is wrong.
    EK has a great warranty. The BFP is actually a combo PRV/BFP and might be covered but you'll pay the labor. A certified EK dealer should be able to tell you.
  • turbo400
    turbo400 Member Posts: 10
    Thanks Guys for responding. I did not think the pipe plug was correct either, but he is the tech. I Don't know about the domestic extrol pipe, but I will try to find out. I am going to check the water pressure with a gauge at my outside hose faucett and go from there.
  • JoeHNJ
    JoeHNJ Member Posts: 18
    Hi, I work in tech support at Energy Kinetics. Please email me at jharazim@energykinetics.com, I would be glad to assist.
    Joe Harazim
    Technical Support
    ENERGY KINETICS
    GBartratio
  • GBart
    GBart Member Posts: 746
    Who the hell installed that and left an open drain port off the back flow preventer pointing straight down into the high voltage high limit??????????????????
    1MatthiasSolid_Fuel_Mandelta T
  • turbo400
    turbo400 Member Posts: 10
    My boiler tech did. He installed the whole system.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    GBart said:

    Who the hell installed that and left an open drain port off the back flow preventer pointing straight down into the high voltage high limit??????????????????

    turbo400 said:

    My boiler tech did. He installed the whole system.

    Cue the "Twilight Zone" theme here...............
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • newagedawn
    newagedawn Member Posts: 586
    oh my, now theres an install gone wrong, fire that man and find someone with more experience
    "The bitter taste of a poor install lasts far longer than the JOY of the lowest price"