[Tfug] OT: Plumbing

[Bexley Hall]

Hi,

Just an FYI for homeowners lurking here...

We recently checked the (static) water pressure entering
the house and found it to be in excess of 100 PSI!  This is
about twice what is "nominal" (code claims ~30-85 -- depending
on which code you cite!).  The increased pressure puts stress
on all water connections -- dishwasher, washing machine, dryer,
toilets, water heater, irrigation system, faucets, etc.

Remedy is to install a pressure reducing valve at the "entrance"
to the building's water supply (i.e., somewhere between "you"
and "The City").  Most of these are factory set to ~50psi -- some
are adjustable (though usually not beyond 75psi).

However, doing so adds *other* concerns as it now makes the
house's water system "closed".  As such, water *in* the plumbing
within the house has no place to "expand into".  So, as the hot
water heater heats water, that water expands -- but, the volume
represented by the "pipes" remains constant.  So, the pressure of
the water *in* those pipes increases (depending on the amount of
pipe in the building, this can be a lot or a little).

This can manifest as premature failure of certain appliances.
Or, faucets that never seem to stop dripping.  etc.

The remedy for *this* is to install an expansion tank in the
(cold) water supply line.  (Of course, the surplus volume required
for this tank depends on water temperature differential, pressure,
amount of pipe in the house, etc.).

Exploring individual requirements is left as an exercise for the
homeowner!  ;-)