Water Pressure Low - But Builds Up
 

All,

I own a condo that was built in the mid to late 70's. Recently, we had
individual water meters installed at each unit, and a plumbing company
installed PRV's at each unit as well. Started noticing some strange
things after this happened. First - the water pressure was cut in
half...which is not all that bad, being that our pressure was around 105
pounds prior. Over the past few weeks, I have noticed that our pressure
seems to build. For example, after some time not using the water, I can
flip on the kitchen sink and the pressure is extremely high - then
levels out.

The plumber came out again and replaced the PRV - still notice the
problem!

Anyone have any suggestions as to what might be the problem here? I
would also mention that our hot water heater is quite old (not sure how
old...but during the inspection we were told that it probably had a
couple of years left). Could this be a potential culprit?

Thanks

Chris

Chris wrote:
All,

I own a condo that was built in the mid to late 70's. Recently, we had
individual water meters installed at each unit, and a plumbing company
installed PRV's at each unit as well. Started noticing some strange
things after this happened. First - the water pressure was cut in
half...which is not all that bad, being that our pressure was around 105
pounds prior. Over the past few weeks, I have noticed that our pressure
seems to build. For example, after some time not using the water, I can
flip on the kitchen sink and the pressure is extremely high - then
levels out.

The plumber came out again and replaced the PRV - still notice the problem!

Anyone have any suggestions as to what might be the problem here? I
would also mention that our hot water heater is quite old (not sure how
old...but during the inspection we were told that it probably had a
couple of years left). Could this be a potential culprit?

Thanks

Chris

Anytime a PRV is installed, a thermal expansion tank is *required*
on the water heater. The PRV prevents the high pressure created
by expansion from returning to the street main.
Mo
http://www.stateind.com/expansion/expansion.htm

If you get flack on this, call the city inspector to get
their official position.

Jim

Interesting...

I have an electric water heater...does the expansion tank still apply?

Chris

Chris wrote in news:Fi_Jd.19223$ky2.4539
@bignews4.bellsouth.net:

Interesting...

I have an electric water heater...does the expansion tank still apply?

Chris


You are still heating water, water expands when heated. Pressure is a
factor of volume in a given area. Since with all the water taps off, and
the PRV in the line, you have a 'closed' area. Increasing the temperature
of the water increases it's volume, the area is fixed, so the pressure
goes up.



--
Anthony

You can't 'idiot proof' anything....every time you try, they just make
better idiots.

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