Faucet Valve Handles Difficult to Open (Sometimes)

[Ted]

My bathroom lavatory faucet handles are difficult to open, usually one or more times a day.

Usually they open easily.

Opening either one will cause the flow to run out fast, then slow to a normal rate in 5 seconds or so.

Doing so will allow the other to open easily, with normal flow rate.

We have a circulating hot water system, where a pump next to the water heater, about 40 feet away keeps hot water running in a loop that runs within 8 feet of the faucet.

Could this system be the cause of the problem, creating over pressure?

Or could there be another cause?

I think the house pressure regulator is set for 80 lbs. I think the high pressure allowed the plumber to use smaller pipes in installing the system.

Thanks for reading this and giving any suggestions.

Ted

[dpb]

...

I'd venture the circulating pump is the prime culprit given that it is intermittent symptom.

80-lb is far too high for domestic water supply pressure. It'll cause premature failure of toilet valves, chattering and possibly early leaks. 40-50 would be far more common.

Check that there is a bypass or recirculating loop in the hot water system and that it has sufficient capacity. Sounds like something in that system isn't right and again 80-lb is awfully high if regulator is actually set there.

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[The Daring Dufas]

The factory set for all of the home water pressure regulators that I've ever dealt with has been 50lbs. I'm not a licensed plumber but I've serviced enough equipment that ties into water lines and worked with any number of plumbers over the years and have never see a new installation where the water pressure was intentionally set high. Around here, the outdoor faucets/spigots are tied in to the water line in front of the regulator so they get full pressure which I've seen as high as 190lbs but most indoor plumbing doesn't work well or reliably under high pressures. Standard T/P valves on water heaters will open at 150lbs. I may have to ask one of my master plumber friends if he has ever used the smaller pipe, higher pressure setup.

TDD

[Red Green]

The Daring Dufas wrote in news:ggbsoo$iej$1 @aioe.org:

LOL. Immediate unsolicited up front disclosure so you don't end up like Joe the Plumber.

[The Daring Dufas]

I always tell the truth which is why I get slapped all the time and seem to have a problem getting along with women.

Woman: "Does this make me look fat?"

TDD: "Damn girl, you gotta turn sideways to get through a door!"

Woman: SLAP!!

TDD: "Why the hell did you hit me?"

Woman: "You called me fat!"

TDD: "I told the truth, you can call me mean but you can't call me a liar."

Woman: Stomps off in frustration