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lucille1956 · Mar 10, 2009, 08:53 AM

I installed a new electric water heater. Had great water pressure before this install, now it takes forever for my washer to even fill up, I have to turn the knobs or water will just flow, so Not sure if the washer or water pressure. The pressure relief valve was leaking when installed, got a new one, it leaked, finally was told need pressure relief valve, water dept said we had to high pressure that's why leaking. Put the pressure relief valve on and now no water pressure, turned it up all the way until the leaking starts again at the valve. What is up here all of a sudden? We were told to plug it and turn it up, what do you say? Do you think its my washer or water pressure?

ballengerb1 · Mar 10, 2009, 09:26 AM

That PRV is called a pressure reducer valve. With the work you did and what the water department says leaves me with one question, what is your water pressure? Test at the garden sipgot if need be.

lucille1956 · Mar 10, 2009, 09:34 AM

We called the water dept out after we could not get the valve to quite leaking. They said out pressure was 160. We had great pressure before all this. I put on the pressure reducer and its up as far as I can go without the pressure relief valve leaking. Our pressure is cut in 1/2.

ballengerb1 · Mar 10, 2009, 09:37 AM

I actually need some numbers here rather than your description of turning the PRV. Get a gauge and attach it to your garden spigot and open the spigot. What is the PSI? Also with the work you have done its likely that some debris came loose and is getting caught in valves or aerators. Is the low pressure/volume everywhere and both hot//cold. Check the small screens in the washer inlet hose connections at each end of the hose.

lucille1956 · Mar 10, 2009, 09:40 AM

I was giving you numbers, the water dept said it was 160 now it is 80.

speedball1 · Mar 10, 2009, 09:49 AM

When you stop to consider that the average house pressure's 45 PSI 80 PSI doesn't sound all that bad. Look elsewhere for your problem. It's not house pressure you're at the top end now. Good luck, Tom

lucille1956 · Mar 10, 2009, 10:01 AM

Considering what I had before I replaced the water heater, what I have now is awful. My washer won't fill up, it takes an hr to fill up. When you take a shower, you only have to use the hot or cold not both, if you use both then no pressure. I just don't get it, I guess I will have to call and pay a plummer.thanks

ballengerb1 · Mar 10, 2009, 10:10 AM

Did you check those screens and the aerators I mentioned in post #4. do that before you call for a plumber. Keep talking with us as you try things we suggest.

speedball1 · Mar 10, 2009, 10:15 AM

If you had good pressure before the heater was installed then that just leaves one thing. The existing pipes were disturbed and lost some of the mineral built up on the p-ipe walls where it's now clogging your system. The solution would be to flush the system. This involves opening up every faucet and appliance affected and flushing both the branch and the valve body out. Good luck, Tom