I've got decent mains water pressure and flow at the garden tap -
around 3 bar and 30 lpm. But the pressure on the first floor is about
0.8 bar, and the flow is under 10 lpm.

There's less than 3M height difference between the garden tap and the
first floor tap level, so I'd expect to see at least 2.5 bar on the
first floor.

The only thing I've got in my system that I think could be affecting
the static pressure is a pressure reducing valve (prv), which is part
of a megaflo system. Both the cold and hot water for the first floor
taps appears to be after this prv. Here's a photo of the megaflo prv:

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/...psfa4e63e1.jpg

The prv is the big thing in the middle of the picture, with a black
cartridge screwed into the top.

The system was installed around 1999, so maybe the prv has become worn
or clogged up or something.

I'm wondering if I should take the prv cartridge off and
clean/service/replace it? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

On Sun, 10 Feb 2013 11:55:42 +0000, Caecilius wrote:

I've got decent mains water pressure and flow at the garden tap -
around 3 bar and 30 lpm. But the pressure on the first floor is about
0.8 bar, and the flow is under 10 lpm.

There's less than 3M height difference between the garden tap and the
first floor tap level, so I'd expect to see at least 2.5 bar on the
first floor.

The only thing I've got in my system that I think could be affecting the
static pressure is a pressure reducing valve (prv), which is part of a
megaflo system. Both the cold and hot water for the first floor taps
appears to be after this prv. Here's a photo of the megaflo prv:

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/...MegaFlo%20PRV/
P1030654_zpsfa4e63e1.jpg

The prv is the big thing in the middle of the picture, with a black
cartridge screwed into the top.

The system was installed around 1999, so maybe the prv has become worn
or clogged up or something.

I'm wondering if I should take the prv cartridge off and
clean/service/replace it? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Can I add to this - what is the difference (if any) between a Pressure
Reducing Valve and a Pressure Limiting Valve?

I have a PRV installed at the moment to protect the water softener
(selected by plumber) and this seems to be restricting the water flow even
though it has been opened up far higher than the static water pressure.

I am planning to take it out as the static water pressure is below the 3.5
bar point at which you are supposed to fit a PLV.

Cheers

Dave R

On 10/02/2013 11:55, Caecilius wrote:
I've got decent mains water pressure and flow at the garden tap -
around 3 bar and 30 lpm. But the pressure on the first floor is about
0.8 bar, and the flow is under 10 lpm.

There's less than 3M height difference between the garden tap and the
first floor tap level, so I'd expect to see at least 2.5 bar on the
first floor.

The only thing I've got in my system that I think could be affecting
the static pressure is a pressure reducing valve (prv), which is part
of a megaflo system. Both the cold and hot water for the first floor
taps appears to be after this prv. Here's a photo of the megaflo prv:

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/...psfa4e63e1.jpg

The prv is the big thing in the middle of the picture, with a black
cartridge screwed into the top.

The system was installed around 1999, so maybe the prv has become worn
or clogged up or something.

I'm wondering if I should take the prv cartridge off and
clean/service/replace it? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

There is often a cage type strainer inside the PRV that should be
checked and cleaned once a year really. If that has not been done, then
that would be a good place to start.

--
Cheers,

John.

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On Sun, 10 Feb 2013 11:55:42 +0000, Caecilius
wrote:

I'm wondering if I should take the prv cartridge off and
clean/service/replace it? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Depending on type, it can need re-set.
I've had to re-set mine once in ten years, as it drifted down in
pressure allowed through over that time.

On Sun, 10 Feb 2013 13:48:28 +0000, John Rumm
wrote:
There is often a cage type strainer inside the PRV that should be
checked and cleaned once a year really. If that has not been done, then
that would be a good place to start.

Yes, I believe there is a filter in there, and I plan to clean that
out when I take the prv cartridge off.

But I guess that it must be more than just a clogged filter, because
that wouldn't change the static pressure would it?

On Sun, 10 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000, Grimly Curmudgeon
wrote:
Depending on type, it can need re-set.
I've had to re-set mine once in ten years, as it drifted down in
pressure allowed through over that time.

That's interesting. I think the megaflo one is non-adjustable, but I
guess I won't really know until I've got the cartridge out as I've
found many supposedly sealed/non-adjustable things to be servicable in
the past.