[Tfug] OT: Plumbing

[Timothy D. Lenz]

A few years ago when we put in a saltless water softener it was at 
~80psi here near swan and speedway. Regulators I was told are now 
required for new houses.

On 2/19/2013 6:24 PM, Bexley Hall wrote:
> 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!  ;-)
>
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