A little over a year ago I installed a new; pressure regulator, and in-line pressure gauges, before and after the regulator, an anti-siphon valve, and two ball valves, one before the water meter and one after. All installed in the 3/4 main line coming into the house. The main problem I had for installing all this was that after checking my water pressure in house, it was at an alarming 115 lbs! When I flushed the toilet as part of pressure testing, the pressure would spike to 150 lbs. once the toilet filled and shut off, then slowly return to
115. Yes, there was always a 'thud' when this happened. What promoted me to finally check the pressure was my pressure release valve on the water heater either hissed, as it dripped water, or would (usually in the middle of the night) blow off. After two flooded basements, I piped it thru the wall to the outside. It still continued to blow off. Plus, I had changed my kitchen faucet twice, my bathroom sink faucet twice, replaced all the components in the toilet twice, and the valves in my shower 4 or 5 times. Now the dual water faucet at the washing machine was dripping, and I finally had to install a new water heater.! This is an old house, my guess is built in the 50s, and it looks like most of the plumbing and electrical upgrades and repairs done through the years were 'half assed'. There were no shut offs at the meter, and the old style that was farther down the 3/4 main line didn't completely cut-off the water when I tried to. Of course each supply line had it's own, but these too were ancient, and had green or white build up, and ended up leaking once turned off and/or on. Dear Lord. I had the water company turn off the water at the curb, and installed the items listed above. I was most concerned about a main shut off both before and after the meter in case it had a leak, then of course the extremely high pressure in the system. After I installed all that in the 3/4 main, I installed the new water heater and added an expansion tank, along with new ball valves (all 1/2"). Adjusted the pressure valve to 54 lbs., and all seems well. You can definitely notice the difference. The gauge after the regulator shows the 54 lbs. of pressure to the system. However, the gauge installed Before the regulator does not register at all. I suspect it is faulty and will have to contact the manufacturer. I had installed it to monitor the 'street pressure' coming into the house through the meter. I had added the anti-siphon valve after reading where it should be, and is required by, most towns today, along with an expansion tank for the water heater. (none was originally installed). Shortly after all this work I developed a vibrating noise in the pipes. Seems to be mostly in the 3/4" main line, and happens after a water source; toilet, shower, washing machine, kitchen or bath sink is used, then shut off. Not a banging noise, but a steady vibrating noise heard through the floor joists. I installed new/more clamps, it helped some, but this condition still exists. No, the system has no air hammers that I can find in it. Probably not considering all the amateur shabby work I see done. Does anyone know, or think, it might have to do with the anti-siphon valve, bad gauge, or the regulator itself? all were new. All were Sharkbite components including the ball valves at the meter. The only thing I did not do that, I was told later that I should have, was remove the plastic inserts in the ball valves that are there if Pex is used. Could that even be the culprit?- posted
7 years ago