Normally when you buy a house you want good water pressure right? Well, turns out our water pressure is A LOT too high. We were having water leaking out of our new water heater's overflow pressure valve, even after my dad reduced the temperature for us. So like a good DIY'er I scoured the internet for solutions, then headed off went to Lowe's.
We got a new pressure release valve (above) in case the simple problem was that ours was broken and a water pressure tester(at left). So first I flushed the release valve and didn't see anything funky come out that would have clogged it.
Next, I decided to test the water pressure. I went outside hooked it up to the hose bibb and it jumped to 140psi. Google search had revealed that even 80psi was too much. Oh crap. Wanting to make sure, I disconnected the cold water at the heater and checked there... yeah 130psi. So not good.
We already have a pressure releasing valve thing-y on the line (like a backflow preventer) like we are supposed to (see left). Looks like I'm calling the city water department tomorrow and asking why they are trying to blow up my water heater, washer, faucets and toilet with their crazy water pressure. Um, thanks but no thanks.
Let's hope that this is something they can come out and fix at the meter and on their dime. :)
UPDATE: OK news, the city checked and the pressure at the meter is 150psi (static) which is within their standards. That means that our RPV (shown above) is shot and is only reducing the pressure from 150 to 140psi. Not the best news, but a pretty cheap fix!
Grrrr Water Pressure
3/16/09
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basement
Man, I love high water pressure. You may need a regulator, but let me tell you, when you're hosing off the walk or the driveway, tons of pressure make short work of things.
ReplyDeleteOf course that was back in the day when I ran an asphalt sealing business and before the age of the cheap pressure washer. Sometimes, I'd hook up to the hydrant. Talk about some pressure! Ruined two hoses, but saved many man hours!
I imagine that you don't enjoy risking your plumbing, though!
Mark
What about adding a pressure valve on the house side of your water input line, and then adjusting the line heading to your house until the pressure is what you want?
ReplyDeleteBut if you can get the city to fix it for free, that would be good too. :-)