Natural gas furnace leaking water

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Author Message   hello Citizen Username: Hello Post Number: 137 Registered: 7-2003 Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 10:06 am:        there's something like a pressure valve on top of the furnace, and water is dripping out the pipe attached to it. i popped the valve and the water eventually seemed to stop dripping. but, this morning it had resumed. perhaps relatedly, the faucet handles to the zones appear to be slightly leaking. seems like some kind of pressure problem- does anyone have a simple idea i might try here?   bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 3380 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 1:23 pm:        First off you have a boiler, not a "furnace". A furnace produces heated air for a hot air system and other than possibly having an humidifier doesn't use water. There is a possibility that the boiler is overfilled. There should be a site glass that you can check. Most likely you have threaded connections and it is possible they have loosened over time and have to be redone. Ditto with the packing in the faucet valve. If you have a service contract you should call the provider. If not you probably need a plumber.   Master Plvmber Citizen Username: Master_plvmber Post Number: 89 Registered: 3-2003 Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 5:54 pm:        It sounds like you have a hot water, or hydronic, heating system. From what you've described, your pressure relief valve is discharging. A pressure relief valve does what its name implies, it relieves excessive pressure. A typical residential hydronic heating system is installed with a relief valve that discharges at 30psi and a pressure reducing valve that maintains a minimum 12psi at the boiler. These values are monitored by dial gauges set in the boiler tappings by the installer or by the manufacturer. There is no site glass on a hydronic boiler unless you are using a steam boiler as the heat source to supply hydronic zones. It is very rare that a relief valve passes water on its own. Although it does happen, it is most often a symptom of another problem. Please post the system pressure as it reads on the dial gauge mounted on the boiler. Also, if you can give me the brand, model number and an assessment of the general condition of your boiler, I'm sure I can give you some more information. Master_Plvmber   hello Citizen Username: Hello Post Number: 142 Registered: 7-2003 Posted on Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 5:05 am:        thank you for the responses. yes, it is hydronic. the system had just been drained by someone who disconnected a radiator for me, and the guy just came back by and said the pressure relief valve didn't reseat itself properly. i certainly hope it's fixed now. you're a very kind person, master plumber. i shall certainly think to use you on my next paying plumbing job.