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myoung29
Feb 28, 2010, 09:57 AM
Hello we moved into our house a year ago this month. In the last few months I have had the upstairs bathtub faucet leak only HOT water. The plumber came out and fixed it and replaced a piece in the faucet in the tub. He said my water pressure was 100 when he tested the hose pressure outside. He also said he couldn't find my pressure regulator and I should have one. I live in El Paso and my house is about six years old. He told me most houses would have one that are as new as mine. I called the city and they said that I should have one too. Problem is, I can't find it! Now my kitchen sink faucet is leaking hot water only and my pool pump is failing. Are these all related? And why is it only the hot water? Two different plumbers have quoted me two VERY different prices to figure it out. I just need to know if it is something as simple as adjusting the pressure on my water heater or do I need to call in a plumber?
Myoung
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

afaroo
Feb 28, 2010, 12:22 PM
If the plumbers tested your water pressure and said that pressure is high,then read the following.

What is considered normal water pressure? There really is no such thing as "normal" water pressure. Since water pressure is influenced by the elevation of the reservoir that serves your neighborhood versus the elevation of your water meter, water pressure varies from property to property. Water pressure in the District typically ranges from 45 - 125 psi; however, typical residential systems are designed to function best under a pressure of 40 - 60 psi. If the water pressure entering you home exceeds this level, you should install a pressure regulator in the line to reduce the pressure to an acceptable range. This protects your equipment and piping in your home from damage from excess force exerted by the water. Symptoms of high pressure include "clanging" or "rattling" of pipes that occur when a faucet, dishwasher, or washing machine shuts off; water heater pressure relief valve malfunctions, and reoccurring leaks. The symptom of low pressure is typically a noticeable reduction of flow.

Look for the PRV if you have one installed if not, you would need to install one see the images below, good luck.

John

speedball1
Feb 28, 2010, 12:25 PM
The plumber said my water pressure was 100 when he tested the hose pressure outside the house. .Now my kitchen sink faucet is leaking hot water only and my pool pump is failing. Are these all related? And why is it only the hot water?
Your water pressure is the same hot or cold. The plumber tested the pressure from a cold water hose bib. This will put a strain on the water pipes and faucets but not your pool pump. You should have fad a PRV (Pressure reducing valve)(see image) installed when your place was built.
It will be located next to the entrance point of your water service.
This should take a plumber about a hour to install. Let me know what the estimates are and what they're going to do for that money and our experts will chime in with their opinion. Good luck, Tom