What did I do wrong???
A couple of hours ago, I shut off the water so I could work on the kitchen faucet (http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=121968.1). Still no success, btw.
Doorbell rang: It was the water company. There was a broken main so our street would be without water for about an hour. No difference to me, since I’d already shut off the supply from inside the house.
Later, I turned the water back on; the dial moved very quickly. Started the washer and dryer. They made so much noise it took a while to notice that the boiler was overflowing! I shut off the water supply, mopped up the mess, then turned the water back on. This time the dial moved slowly and there hasn’t been any flooding.
Any ideas what caused the overflow? I am not familiar with this type of water heater. The house (a rental) has baseboard radiators. The inspector from the gas company called it a boiler and pointed out an attached furnace. He said that this design provides instant hot water without using a recirculation pump.
Janet
Replies
high pressure surge...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I had my water heater replaced last year, and I wasn't cautious when I went to take a shower afterward. The air surge from turning on the hot water destroyed the pressure balancing valve. My lesson is that all valves need to be turned on very slowly after any shut off of water to get the air out and allow for a gradual resumption of pressure. My other lesson was not to buy American Standard again.
Next time I will open the water valve in increments.The linoleum in the boiler room indicates that this was not the first instance of flooding. That has me wondering: Suppose the valve had been open all the time the water company had been working. Would the pressure surge have happened anyway?Oh, and I learned something else: Don't do laundry for a good twelve hours after the water company leaves. Rust.
rust and other kinds of contaminants. I would not even drink if for a good 24 hours and a few showers flushing water through
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
You are supposed to boil the water for 24 hours post repairs to the main. Don't they issue boil orders in your neck of the woods?
Never heard of that, but it does explain why the very expensive bathroom remodel we just finished had a LOT of discoloration and debris in the water. Owner sort of blamed us, we sort of blamed the city for working on the main down the street. Good to know we weren't blowing smoke.
The boil order is for drinking water only but also serves as a warning not to wash raw fruits/veg in the water. Anything you cook with would be okay save for the rusty dirty water that comes out initially but anything you don't cook shouldn't come in contact with the water.
when i lived with muni water, yes.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
It sounds like the Temperature/Pressure valve on the water heater popped. This could happen because of a pressure surge when opening the valve, or because, while the water was off, the boiler system overheated and you got a burst of steam.
When you shut off the water you should always shut down the water heater/boiler system.
Does all this mean that one of the valves needs to be replaced?
No, it was likely an operator malfunction.
As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
Which operator, the water department or me?
Take your pick. Should have turned off the heater before playing with the pipes, or when informed that the water co was doing same. Should turn water on slowly after pipes have been drained, to avoid severe water hammer.
As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
You sure yer husband isnt messin with ya ?
They love doin that ya know .
Edited 7/7/2009 5:49 pm by Mooney