Erby Posted July 2, 2011 Report Share Posted July 2, 2011 What causes the smoke stain at the TPRV connection? Click to Enlarge 33.18 KB Click to Enlarge 21.26 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Meiland Posted July 2, 2011 Report Share Posted July 2, 2011 Are those gas units? Are they in unconditioned space? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted July 2, 2011 Report Share Posted July 2, 2011 Maybe the plumber got the pieces too hot when he sweated the connections. Smoldered the insulation. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erby Posted July 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2011 Nah, electric about 7 years old in the hall closet with the heat pump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted July 2, 2011 Report Share Posted July 2, 2011 What causes the smoke stain at the TPRV connection?. . . The same thing that causes it above light fixtures, convective air currents. The TPR is warm. It warms the air around it, causing that air to rise in a small stream. If there's dirt in the air, it stains the surface next to the rising air current. It's usually soot from candles or oil lamps, but it could be any airborne dirt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolan Kienitz Posted July 2, 2011 Report Share Posted July 2, 2011 Possible leaky connection of the TPRV into the main tank. Steam (aka: heat) seeping and heat causing discoloration on the painted surface? Mind you that is only a WAG. [?] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolan Kienitz Posted July 2, 2011 Report Share Posted July 2, 2011 JK's reply is the logical one. Consider similar smoke traces at receptacle cover plates where AC/DC bricks are plugged in for long term for security system panels. I had a newer home (built 2006) the other day that had a lot of such traces on outlet cover plates. Once I got into the attic and check the HVAC system and pulled the filter cover most of the cause was noted there as the filter was filthy. Lack of filters changes and accumulated dust/dirt in the carpet, etc., etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erby Posted July 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2011 So, just plate out of particulate matter. Similar to ghosting on the studs. Here's a filthy for you, from the same home. Click to Enlarge 58.86 KB Must have had a "smart" agent. The filter was nice and clean! Fortunately, The Pentax W90 almost always gives me a good shot of the blower fan blades. "The main blower fan blades are covered with crud which impedes the operating efficiency of the unit. This has also usually allowed dust to come in contact with the wet air conditioning coils. Wet plus dust equals mud on the coils equals coils being partially blocked. I can't see the coils to verify this though. I recommend that you have a heating & air conditioning contractor service and clean the unit (to include removal and cleaning of both the fan and the coils)." - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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