Hi, my washer started "leaking". The repair guy said was from too low water pressure or flow into that "cup" in the washer the water "jets" into (that "cup" is required by law for some reason). Anyway, I'm on a well. I have a water pressure of about 29 to 32 psi (it was higher I think... I'm going to check the pressure in th air bag in the air tank). What should my water pressure be, 40 to 60psi? I think the low psi and a too restrictive wash machine shut off valve are causing my problems (it's not the screens in the valve... its a new valve).

And what water pressure range are wash machines designed for?

I bought one of these to test it:
http://store.yahoo.com/inspectortool/dualwatpresa.html

Oh, and what should the water pressure in a hot water baseboard system be? My plumbers told me 18 to 20.

Thanks,
Jeff

Hi Jeff,  The average house pressure runs 45/50 PSI,( pounds per square inch.)  The average pump pressure control box is set to 20 PSI kicks it on and 40 PSI shuts it off.  Low pressure shouldn't make your washer "leak".  It just makes it fill slower.  Your base board heater should work at the pressure that the plumber told you it would .  Your house pressure is a little low. Let me show you how to increase it and reset your bladder tank.   I'm going to assume that you  have a "square D pumptrol and that it has a 20 PSI cut in and a 40 PSI cut off setting. First turnoff the power at the breaker box, then pull the cover off the pressure switch and you will see two spring loaded bolts secured with nylon nuts.  One tall, one short.  To increase the cut in pressure, turn the nut on the tall bolt down.  To increase the cut out pressure,(that's the one that will give you more pressure) turn the nut on the short bolt down.  This should give you the additional pressure you  need.   The air pressure on the bladder tank should be set at 2 PSI below cut in pressure or, in the case of a 20/40 control box,  18 PSI. Good luck,  Tom

>>Low pressure shouldn't make your washer "leak".  It just makes it fill slower. <<

No, it really will make it leak. The water that enters a washer does not directly dump into the tub. There is a "cup" the water has to shoot into before it can drain into the tub. This "cup" is required by law for some reason. Without enough pressure to shoot the distance into the "cup" it can cause a "dip". I'll try and pop the top off my washer and get a picture to show you. The repair guy (who also sells appliances) also says without enough water pressure on the valves in the washer it can cause them to fail early too. Thanks for the info though...

Jeff

Goodmorning Jeff, It's not that I question your appliance guy but something doesn't sound right. Could you give me the name and model# of your washer. Also the state and area where you live so that I can look up the code that compells a washer manufacture to install some sort of cup with a built in leak at the inlet. I live in Florida where the water enters the washer through a eltromagnetic valve and then into the tub. I've been a plumber for over 50 years and have yet to see low water pressure damage a valve, eltromagnetic or otherwise. You can always teach a old dog new tricks but this old dog's a skeptic. So help me out with a little information. I'm ready to learn. Cheers, Tom