We had a re-circulating pump installed in our water heater (for instant hot) and now have hot water at the cold spigot of one sink in bathroom and hot water in the toilet. Also snapping of pipes when toilet fills completely. Plumber told me it's the nature of the beast... I don't buy it.
Thanks.

Hi Kdischer...

Let me assure you...it is not the nature of the beast! If this guy won't fix it you be sure to call the local plumbing inspector and tell him what your plumber stated to you... bet he's not too impressed! There is also the local better business bureau... don't let a jerk get away with treating you like this. You could even go as far as talking to the plumbing board and have him go before the board to discuss this with them... He won't like that if he's a legit. Plumber. He is very wrong!

I don't want to start guessing here... so please let us know the particular system that was installed at your house. Do you have a name for us on the recirc pump/system? [/B] Is the circulator located at the water heater or is the pump closer to the farthest point of use?

Get back to us... somethings up... ;)

MARK

You should have 2 Check Valves in the water heater area: One on cold water line supplying w/h with cold water, and the other own on hot / return water pipe. Both should be installed with your new hot water circulation system.

It is more likely that your plumber didn't install Check Valve on cold water side in the location of return loop connection. That valve prevents recirculated water to enter cold water side. If you don't have one, you will get hot water on cold water side in nearest bathroom...

But, of course, I assume he didn't cross hot and cold water pipes somewhere in your house during pump installation.

Thanks for trying to pinpoint this for me. Name on recirc pump is Watts, bought at Home depot. It'sinstalled on top of water heater nearest point of use.
K.

Kdischner: Important: Make SURE the pump is running water in the right direction ! There should be an arrow somewhere on the body of the pump, pointing in the direction of the flow. Water should be pulling from the pump TOWARDS the water heater - not pushing into the system.

I have seen pump installed in opposite direction so many times that I feel obligated to mention this detail to you... :D

Milo... this type of recirc. System does not require a check valve to be installed as the unit is actually installed at the hot water outlet of the water heater. It actually comes with all parts needed (except extra sensor valves).

Check out this link:

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImage/e339de60-c9f8-4d36-b9ec-131386f77441.pdf

My guess is that unit is reversed as you suggested or could be that a SENSOR VALVE is defective or the plumber did in fact cross hot and cold water line... (although I can't really see how). Kdischner check out the link and check at troubleshooting... see if you can test EACH sensor unit you have as instructed at the troubleshooting section... let us know what you discover... ok?

MARK

Mark, Yes, indeed, it is a Retrofit Pump...

Exactly... odd that they are having issue at the toilet... huh?

I'm hoping kdischner will check out info. Posted and get back to us...

Mark, this is what happens with this type of pumps:

Plumber installs it at the most distant sink. The special thermal-coupling, that opens and closes at 96 F as hot water is delivered, allows hot water to enter cold water side of the system. When hot water reaches 96F, it shuts off. Now, toilet is usually close to the sink, therefore, 1st in line of receiving warm water.

I think, this may be part of his problem...

That makes sense.

Kdischner can check the troubleshooting section out at the above link and test the sensor valve at the involved bathroom as indicated.

May be as simple as having the plumber come back to install a new sensor valve!

We'll see... KD, see if you can perform test... let us know if need help.

Thanks... MARK

Would like to put my two cents also, I have installed a few of these pumps for myself and my friends for the last few years and we have no problem, the only thing I will add if the sensors are not installed properly will give some problems, attach are the pictures the one I have installed in my house in 2004, Thanks.

John
Attached Images

Thank you for the time you spent sending these photos. I will now have something concrete to look for. Very helpful people and very helpful site. A thousand thanks to one and all.
KD

KD... did you test your sensor valve as set at the link I posted above under troubleshooting??

Test the sensor by shutting the cold water valve... then open cold water side of faucet and as water gets warmer you should see a reduction in flow of water coming out the cold water side until it finally stops.

If water does not stop completely after a couple minutes or so, then the sensor valve is defective and needs to be replaced.

Let us know...

Thanks... MARK

KD,

Mark is absolutely correct that to close the cold angle valve under the sink, open the cold side of the sink run the water for a few minutes the flow will reduce and if the water temperature gets to between 96-98 Degrees the flow stops, some times the water would not reach to that temp and the water will still be running at low flow, in this case leave the cold side still open and open the hot side check the water temp when water gets hot close the hot side the water will stop on the cold side, some time it will not stop completely it depends on the water temperature setting.

Last year I was under assumption that the water will stop completely tried every thing but did not stop even I was getting warm water, I called Watts help disk at 1-800-752-5582 and they walk me through and instructed me as above, Thanks.

Best regards,
John

Kd,

I would like to add this to my post #14, the test should be done at the sink where the sensors are installed, Thank.

Regards,
John

KD...did you test your sensor valve as set at the link I posted above under troubleshooting??

Test the sensor by shutting the cold water valve....then open cold water side of faucet and as water gets warmer you should see a reduction in flow of water coming out the cold water side until it finally stops.

If water does not stop completely after a couple minutes or so, then the sensor valve is defective and needs to be replaced.

Let us know...

Thanks...MARK
Thank you for all suggestions... I will try them and let know. Plumber is due here later in week... same one who installed it and told me it was the nature of the beast that I have no cold water in my bathroom, including toilet.
KD

Hello KD,

Is your problem fixed we didn't hear from you, Thanks.

Regards,
John