Bradford White Hidden System Leak / Pressure Loss

Boiler’s system pressure drops over time without visible leaks.

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Leak in buried piping, Leaking indirect tank coil, Auto air vent discharging unnoticed, Relief valve occasional discharge

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Turn off power if pressure drops to unsafe levels. Do not operate the boiler with very low pressure.

  • Step 1 – Check relief valve discharge: Inspect the relief valve discharge pipe end for signs of intermittent dripping or staining.
  • Step 2 – Inspect auto vents: Look at all automatic air vents for signs of dried mineral deposits indicating past leakage.
  • Step 3 – Isolate indirect tank: If an indirect water heater is connected, isolate it and monitor pressure. A leaking coil can lose boiler water into the domestic system.
  • Step 4 – Dye test (pro): A technician may add dye to the system water to help locate hidden leaks.
  • Step 5 – Repair leaks and reset pressure: Once leaks are found and repaired, refill and purge the system to the correct pressure.

Note: Chronic pressure loss can draw fresh oxygenated water into the system, accelerating corrosion.

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Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Pressure Relief Valve
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