Blocked waste or hot water cylinder vent pipe

Cause

Hard water deposit build up in pipe

Repair

  • every hot water cylinder requires a method of pressure relief because water expands with heat, increasing pressure. Older systems typically have an open vent pipe on the roof. It is not unusual to occasionally see hot water being vented onto the roof

  • the pressure relief system, whether a pipe venting above the roof or a valve and a waste pipe close to the cylinder, play an important safety role. There have been occasions where hot water cylinders with no effective pressure relief have exploded, causing significant damage to a house

  • if you know the water in your area is very hard and you have an older hot water system, occasionally checking the condition of the vent pipe is a good idea. Unless you specifically check for it, you will be unlikely to be aware that the pipe is becoming blocked

  • if the pipe appears blocked, call a licensed plumber

Cause

Dirt build up in pipe

Repair

  • as above