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Brett Miller
 
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Default Water Pressure - Wher is my "Pressure Reducing Valve"?

The county came out and measured the water pressure.
It was 40 psi at the house and 100 psi at the curb.
Recommendation: Pressure Reducing Valve may need adjustment or
has failed.

Now is the the county's problem or mine. The guy just left a
note on my door, so I didn't get to ask him, and I found the note
late friday evening so I couldn't call.

If this is my problem, where is the valve located. I do think I
can adjust it, and probably replace it if it is b/w the main and
the house.

Advice?
  #2   Report Post  
Dick
 
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On Sun, 01 May 2005 04:27:19 -0400, Brett Miller
wrote:

The county came out and measured the water pressure.
It was 40 psi at the house and 100 psi at the curb.
Recommendation: Pressure Reducing Valve may need adjustment or
has failed.

Now is the the county's problem or mine. The guy just left a
note on my door, so I didn't get to ask him, and I found the note
late friday evening so I couldn't call.

If this is my problem, where is the valve located. I do think I
can adjust it, and probably replace it if it is b/w the main and
the house.

Advice?


Everything after the meter is usually the homeowner's responsibility.
The pressure valve could be in one of many places. At our house, it
is in the same underground box with the main shutoff valve at the
street. Typically, they are at the point where the water line enters
the house. Especially if you have a basement.
  #3   Report Post  
Speedy Jim
 
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Brett Miller wrote:

The county came out and measured the water pressure.
It was 40 psi at the house and 100 psi at the curb.
Recommendation: Pressure Reducing Valve may need adjustment or
has failed.


Looks like this:
http://www.wattsreg.com/scripts/baserun2/baserun.exe?_cfg=./db/wattsreg-products.cfg&_sn=wattsreg-products&_fil=alltrim(cat)%3d'Water_Pressure_Reduc ing_Valves_Standard_Capacity'.and.alltrim(family)% 3d'Pressure_Regulators_&_Automatic_Control_Valves' &_tar=_view3
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And what's the problem? 40PSI at the house sounds like it's about
where it should be.

  #5   Report Post  
Harry K
 
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wrote:
And what's the problem? 40PSI at the house sounds like it's about
where it should be.


40 psi is adequate, 50 is better for irrigation, 60 is the recommended
max for residential use.

Harry K



  #7   Report Post  
Dick
 
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On Sun, 01 May 2005 20:26:46 GMT, "George E. Cawthon"
wrote:

wrote:
And what's the problem? 40PSI at the house sounds like it's about
where it should be.

40-50 psi is what you use in a travel trailer or
motor home. 40 psi provides a totally
unacceptable water flow for domestic use and
certainly is too low for pressure irrigation. The
pressure at my house runs around 80psi. Have you
ever measure the pressure at your house? Anything
under 60-70 psi would indicate your
city/county/subdivision lacks proper control of
water pressure.


I just measured our house pressure after the regulator. It's 60psi,
and less than that wouldn't be very satisfactory. I would say we are
at the minimum acceptable for adequate shower pressure, yard watering,
etc.
  #8   Report Post  
Harry K
 
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Dick wrote:
On Sun, 01 May 2005 20:26:46 GMT, "George E. Cawthon"
wrote:

wrote:
And what's the problem? 40PSI at the house sounds like it's about
where it should be.

40-50 psi is what you use in a travel trailer or
motor home. 40 psi provides a totally
unacceptable water flow for domestic use and
certainly is too low for pressure irrigation. The
pressure at my house runs around 80psi. Have you
ever measure the pressure at your house? Anything
under 60-70 psi would indicate your
city/county/subdivision lacks proper control of
water pressure.


I just measured our house pressure after the regulator. It's 60psi,
and less than that wouldn't be very satisfactory. I would say we are
at the minimum acceptable for adequate shower pressure, yard

watering,
etc.


Too each his own. I just put out the industry standards. My pressure
is 30-50 and I do a lot of sprinkler irrigation. It is marginal at 30,
great at 50 so I supect 40 would do just fine.

Harry K

  #9   Report Post  
stretch
 
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Brett,

I have between 40 and 50 PSI at my house. That is normal city water
Here in Myrtle Beach, SC. When I lived in Greensburg Pennsylvania, it
was about 120 PSI so I installed a pressure regulator and dropped it to
about 70 PSI. Most shallow well pumps have their pressure switches to
20 to 40 PSI. That is: they come on at 20 PSI & shut off at 40 PSI.
Some pressure switches go up to 30-50 PSI. That is adequate for yard
sprinklers, I have been doing it at around 25-45 PSI for 20 years with
no problems. I use well water for the yard, city water for domestic
consumption. It all depends on where you live, your source of water
and what you are used to.

Anything after the meter is usually yours, but unless you are having
trouble with low flow at a fixture, I would leave it alone. The higher
the pressure, the faster your faucets will use water and the higher
your water and sewer bills will be.

Stretch

  #10   Report Post  
Brett Miller
 
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I realize I am not very knowledgeable in this area, that is why I am
asking for help.
Perhaps you are use to 40 psi, but I am not. The shower is very
pathetic, the water from the sink hardly flows and takes forever to
fill the sink. The sprayer from the sink just dribbles. The hose
pressure is too low to clean anything.

Maybe 40 psi is good for you. Maybe it saves you a lot of money by
reducing the amount of water you use.

However, I am very conscious of the amount of water I use. I pay for
it. I would like it at a higher pressure. My last house had great
pressure. The neighbors have great pressure.

I would like to fix the problem.

BM

On 1 May 2005 06:39:42 -0700, wrote:

And what's the problem? 40PSI at the house sounds like it's about
where it should be.




  #11   Report Post  
Brett Miller
 
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There is someting like what is in the pictures on the site, but I was
told it was a back flow / anti siphon valve.

How much do the valves on the site run?

Thanks
BM


On Sun, 01 May 2005 09:24:21 -0400, Speedy Jim wrote:

Brett Miller wrote:

The county came out and measured the water pressure.
It was 40 psi at the house and 100 psi at the curb.
Recommendation: Pressure Reducing Valve may need adjustment or
has failed.


Looks like this:
http://www.wattsreg.com/scripts/baserun2/baserun.exe?_cfg=./db/wattsreg-products.cfg&_sn=wattsreg-products&_fil=alltrim(cat)%3d'Water_Pressure_Reduc ing_Valves_Standard_Capacity'.and.alltrim(family)% 3d'Pressure_Regulators_&_Automatic_Control_Valves' &_tar=_view3


  #12   Report Post  
stretch
 
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Brett, you may have some other restriction in your water piping if the
flow is so inadequate.

If you found the regulator, to increase pressure, loosen the jam nut on
the screw on top of the valve body. Then turn the adjusting screw
colckwise to increase the pressure. Then tighten the jam nut again.

If that doesn'y help. you may need to call a plumber to help diagnose
the problem.

Stretch

  #13   Report Post  
Speedy Jim
 
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Brett Miller wrote:
There is someting like what is in the pictures on the site, but I was
told it was a back flow / anti siphon valve.

How much do the valves on the site run?

Thanks
BM


On Sun, 01 May 2005 09:24:21 -0400, Speedy Jim wrote:


Brett Miller wrote:


The county came out and measured the water pressure.
It was 40 psi at the house and 100 psi at the curb.
Recommendation: Pressure Reducing Valve may need adjustment or
has failed.


Looks like this:
http://www.wattsreg.com/scripts/baserun2/baserun.exe?_cfg=./db/wattsreg-products.cfg&_sn=wattsreg-products&_fil=alltrim(cat)%3d'Water_Pressure_Reduc ing_Valves_Standard_Capacity'.and.alltrim(family)% 3d'Pressure_Regulators_&_Automatic_Control_Valves' &_tar=_view3




Typical 3/4" Press Reducing Valve should cost around $75.
Might find at BigBox or plumb supply house or on-line.

If you find yours, try adjusting first.
Jim
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Harry K
 
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Brett Miller wrote:
I realize I am not very knowledgeable in this area, that is why I am
asking for help.
Perhaps you are use to 40 psi, but I am not. The shower is very
pathetic, the water from the sink hardly flows and takes forever to
fill the sink. The sprayer from the sink just dribbles. The hose
pressure is too low to clean anything.

Maybe 40 psi is good for you. Maybe it saves you a lot of money by
reducing the amount of water you use.

However, I am very conscious of the amount of water I use. I pay for
it. I would like it at a higher pressure. My last house had great
pressure. The neighbors have great pressure.

I would like to fix the problem.

BM

On 1 May 2005 06:39:42 -0700, wrote:

And what's the problem? 40PSI at the house sounds like it's about
where it should be.


If the flow is indeed as you say, you do not have a pressure problem.
You have a blockage/flow restriction somewhere. Possible causes from
most common to least.

1. Blocked filter
2. Corroded pipes.
3. Partially closed valve.

I suggest you get a pressure gauge and measure the pressure at a faucet
to see what it is. They don't cost a lot and you can get them that you
just plug against the faucet and hold there. Keep in mind that there
can be a great difference between static and dynamic pressure. Even a
trickle through a blocked pipe will eventually raise system pressure as
long as there is no flow. As soon as flow starts, the pressure goes
down.

As to pressure. 40 psi will give a needle shower, 20 psi won't.

Harry K

  #15   Report Post  
JimL
 
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Default

On Mon, 02 May 2005 02:54:01 -0400, Brett Miller
wrote:


I realize I am not very knowledgeable in this area, that is why I am
asking for help.
Perhaps you are use to 40 psi, but I am not. The shower is very
pathetic, the water from the sink hardly flows and takes forever to
fill the sink. The sprayer from the sink just dribbles. The hose
pressure is too low to clean anything.

Maybe 40 psi is good for you. Maybe it saves you a lot of money by
reducing the amount of water you use.

However, I am very conscious of the amount of water I use. I pay for
it. I would like it at a higher pressure. My last house had great
pressure. The neighbors have great pressure.

I would like to fix the problem.

BM

On 1 May 2005 06:39:42 -0700, wrote:

And what's the problem? 40PSI at the house sounds like it's about
where it should be.


My 40 year old house had a 3/4 inch line from the meter in the alley
to the house located 75 feet away. Replacing that line with a 1 inch
line solved all my water problems.

You probably need to replace your lines.







  #16   Report Post  
Goedjn
 
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Default

On Mon, 02 May 2005 02:54:01 -0400, Brett Miller
wrote:


Perhaps you are use to 40 psi, but I am not. The shower is very
pathetic, the water from the sink hardly flows and takes forever to
fill the sink. The sprayer from the sink just dribbles. The hose
pressure is too low to clean anything.


If that's so, (and it may well be), it's not because 40 PSI
is too low a pressure. THere's probably something between
where you measure the pressure and your point-of-use
(like, 20 of head from a basement to an upper story
bath?) that's reducing your dynamic pressure even
further.
  #17   Report Post  
Dick
 
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On Mon, 02 May 2005 11:54:18 -0400, Goedjn wrote:

On Mon, 02 May 2005 02:54:01 -0400, Brett Miller
wrote:


Perhaps you are use to 40 psi, but I am not. The shower is very
pathetic, the water from the sink hardly flows and takes forever to
fill the sink. The sprayer from the sink just dribbles. The hose
pressure is too low to clean anything.


If that's so, (and it may well be), it's not because 40 PSI
is too low a pressure. THere's probably something between
where you measure the pressure and your point-of-use
(like, 20 of head from a basement to an upper story
bath?) that's reducing your dynamic pressure even
further.


In my case, everything goes through a water softener first (except the
outside hose bibs.) That's probably why 60psi seems only adequate to
me. No doubt some restriction in the softener.

Dick
  #18   Report Post  
Brett Miller
 
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Harry,

Thanks for taking the time to help me with the problem I'm
having.
The pressure was measured by the county, at a faucet ( unless
they really do have keys to everyones house ). The pressue was
40 psi at the house. 100 psi at the curb. The Water Man or
water person, said likely cause was a failed or maladjusted valve
(I paraphrased that.)
The 40psi doesn't give a needle shower. Granted, I may feel
different after I put on a new head.

But, I am really trying to gather some knowledge on the subject,
not ask for help then try to aruge everyone down.

I figured I'd try to measure the pressure by seeing how long it
would take to fill a 5 gallon bucket. I actually filled the
bucket and timed it before I realized how stupid that was.
Maybe with a Flow Table and pipe size reference I could figure
out the pressure, but not with just a stop watch and bucket.
I think there is some kind of electricty anology here too.

Anyway, I'll try to adjust what I think is the valve as someone
suggested. I'm sure I'll break it and wind up having to buy a
new one. But it'd be wrong to buy a new one to start with.

When I rebuilt my car engine, I spent more on repairing what I
broke then on anything else..

thanks





On 2 May 2005 06:45:43 -0700, "Harry K"
wrote:


Brett Miller wrote:
I realize I am not very knowledgeable in this area, that is why I am
asking for help.
Perhaps you are use to 40 psi, but I am not. The shower is very
pathetic, the water from the sink hardly flows and takes forever to
fill the sink. The sprayer from the sink just dribbles. The hose
pressure is too low to clean anything.

Maybe 40 psi is good for you. Maybe it saves you a lot of money by
reducing the amount of water you use.

However, I am very conscious of the amount of water I use. I pay for
it. I would like it at a higher pressure. My last house had great
pressure. The neighbors have great pressure.

I would like to fix the problem.

BM

On 1 May 2005 06:39:42 -0700, wrote:

And what's the problem? 40PSI at the house sounds like it's about
where it should be.


If the flow is indeed as you say, you do not have a pressure problem.
You have a blockage/flow restriction somewhere. Possible causes from
most common to least.

1. Blocked filter
2. Corroded pipes.
3. Partially closed valve.

I suggest you get a pressure gauge and measure the pressure at a faucet
to see what it is. They don't cost a lot and you can get them that you
just plug against the faucet and hold there. Keep in mind that there
can be a great difference between static and dynamic pressure. Even a
trickle through a blocked pipe will eventually raise system pressure as
long as there is no flow. As soon as flow starts, the pressure goes
down.

As to pressure. 40 psi will give a needle shower, 20 psi won't.

Harry K


  #19   Report Post  
Brett Miller
 
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Default


Stretch,
This sounds like a plan.
I'll break it and have to replace it, but I'll start off slow.
If I get it up to 100 psi, I bet I'll never have to clean the
toilets.

More to follow.....I'm looking for my wrentches now.



On 2 May 2005 03:49:44 -0700, "stretch"
wrote:

Brett, you may have some other restriction in your water piping if the
flow is so inadequate.

If you found the regulator, to increase pressure, loosen the jam nut on
the screw on top of the valve body. Then turn the adjusting screw
colckwise to increase the pressure. Then tighten the jam nut again.

If that doesn'y help. you may need to call a plumber to help diagnose
the problem.

Stretch


  #20   Report Post  
Dave
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Brett Miller wrote:
I realize I am not very knowledgeable in this area, that
is why I am asking for help. Perhaps you are use to 40 psi,
but I am not. The shower is very pathetic, the water from
the sink hardly flows and takes forever to fill the sink.
The sprayer from the sink just dribbles. The hose pressure
is too low to clean anything.


The regulator is probably the first thing that the cold water line goes
to inside your house. It has an adjustable setting and an internal
filter screen that could become obstructed. Over time they tend to fill
with lime deposits. Perhaps you will need to replace yours. Maybe you
should also disassemble and inspect your fixtures and check for lime
and for half closed valves. I once had a new showerhead that was
worthless until I took it apart and removed an idiotic plastic
"thingie" that restricted the water flow. You fail to tell us how low
the pressure drops when you have water running. Mine is set to 50 and
drops to about 40 with running water.

You might also run a new pipe from the unregulated side to your outdoor
faucet.



  #21   Report Post  
Dave
 
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Brett Miller wrote:
Speedy Jim wrote:

Looks like this:

http://www.wattsreg.com/scripts/baserun2/baserun.exe?_cfg=./db/wattsreg-products.cfg&_sn=wattsreg-products&_fil=alltrim(cat)%3d'Water_Pressure_Reduc ing_Valves_Standard_Capacity'.and.alltrim(family)% 3d'Pressure_Regulators_&_Automatic_Control_Valves' &_tar=_view3

There is someting like what is in the pictures on the site,
but I was told it was a back flow / anti siphon valve.


The first one pictured on Speedy Jim's webpage is the one I have. I
think I paid around $50 for it although I can't remember exactly.
Lowe's has them and HD probably does also. In addition to that you
might also have a back flow valve which could also be clogged.

  #22   Report Post  
Brett Miller
 
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There is someting like what is in the pictures on the site, but I was
told it was a back flow / anti siphon valve.

How much do the valves on the site run?

Thanks
BM


On Sun, 01 May 2005 09:24:21 -0400, Speedy Jim wrote:

Brett Miller wrote:

The county came out and measured the water pressure.
It was 40 psi at the house and 100 psi at the curb.
Recommendation: Pressure Reducing Valve may need adjustment or
has failed.


Looks like this:
http://www.wattsreg.com/scripts/baserun2/baserun.exe?_cfg=./db/wattsreg-products.cfg&_sn=wattsreg-products&_fil=alltrim(cat)%3d'Water_Pressure_Reduc ing_Valves_Standard_Capacity'.and.alltrim(family)% 3d'Pressure_Regulators_&_Automatic_Control_Valves' &_tar=_view3


  #23   Report Post  
Speedy Jim
 
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Default

Brett Miller wrote:

There is someting like what is in the pictures on the site, but I was
told it was a back flow / anti siphon valve.

How much do the valves on the site run?

Thanks
BM


Typical cost on a 3/4" PRV should be around $75.
Might even find them at BigBox.

Jim




On Sun, 01 May 2005 09:24:21 -0400, Speedy Jim wrote:


Brett Miller wrote:


The county came out and measured the water pressure.
It was 40 psi at the house and 100 psi at the curb.
Recommendation: Pressure Reducing Valve may need adjustment or
has failed.


Looks like this:
http://www.wattsreg.com/scripts/baserun2/baserun.exe?_cfg=./db/wattsreg-products.cfg&_sn=wattsreg-products&_fil=alltrim(cat)%3d'Water_Pressure_Reduc ing_Valves_Standard_Capacity'.and.alltrim(family)% 3d'Pressure_Regulators_&_Automatic_Control_Valves' &_tar=_view3



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