Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    sdfgha11's Avatar
    sdfgha11 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Sep 12, 2010, 07:20 AM
    Whole house water filter causes hammer, trips pressure valve on heater - why?
    I recently installed a Whole House Water Filter - GE GXWH40L.

    It works fine, but I noticed that when the filter is ON:
    (1) The water heater stars to leak significant amounts of water through the Pressure Relief Valve
    (2) There is a distinctive knocking noise when water appliances, washer, dishwasher, even faucets, shut off. Like "hammer effect", but with about 1-2 seconds delay.

    If I by-pass the filter, there is no problem with either (1) or (2).

    Is there any known issue with such water filters and if yes, what is the solution? Why is it causing this? Will a hammer arrester fix the problem? Where do I place it - in front of the filter?

    Thanks!
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
     
    #2

    Sep 12, 2010, 07:48 AM

    First, measure pressure on the inside of your house ( past pressure regulator ). Pressure should not be higher than 55 lbs. Then, make sure the filter is installed with the flow. Third, make sure all valves are in OPEN position.

    Filter installation should have nothing to do with pressure relieve valve leak. PRV leaks when under too much pressure.

    Knocking noise indicates some loose part in your plumbing system. It can be that leaking PRV or water valve you used to close and open water during filter installation. It can also be cartridge inside the filter.

    Check those out and let me know what you've found out... Back to you... Milo
    nivrage's Avatar
    nivrage Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #3

    Apr 20, 2012, 08:23 PM
    Dear SDFG -
    I have no answer to this, -but I have the same water filter and the Same things are happening to me - the water hammer and prv leak.
    Did you ever get a good answer - I know it is 2 years, later, but am hoping you found out what the problem was, and that you actually look here.
    Can you email me, either way -

    Thanks
    Gene
    [email protected]

    As soon as I put it on bypass, all the problems went away - very strange
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
     
    #4

    Apr 21, 2012, 06:37 AM
    Hi Gene

    I believe the GE Whole House Water Filter - GE GXWH40L has a built in check valve. The additon of a check valve effectively closes a previously open system and will not allow thermal expansion of water to flow back out to the city water system and therefore shows up as a drip/leak at your water heater's temperature and pressure relief valve.

    To fix this you need to install an EXPANSION TANK to accommodate the expansion of water due to the heating of water from your water heating source.

    You will also need to install an electrical GROUND WIRE jumper across the whole house filter to make your home ground continuous. This is very important here, OK?

    Glad to discuss more...

    Mark

    PS: Call GE to confirm the filter has a check valve or backflow preventer

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Surging water pressure & leaking water heater relief valve [ 19 Answers ]

Just recently the pressure of our water in the house surges when we turn a faucet on, and the city water company verified that our pressure in the house when we open a faucet is higher than the pressure in the lines in the street, and after the water runs is at a normal pressure (meaning their...

Gas water heater pressure release valve leaking water [ 14 Answers ]

Hello all, I have a slight issue with my gas water heater. It's a AO Smith 32.75 gallon type. All of a sudden, water is coming out of the relief valve pipe. I have placed a coffee can there, and I have to empty it out every few hours now. Im not sure where to turn for this one, as I have...

We have no water pressure since replacing our whole house water filter [ 3 Answers ]

We have city water. There is a whole house water filter that needed to be replaced in a home we just purchased. We purchased a typical cylcindrical filter at home depot. First we turned the water off for the entire house and turned on a faucet to relieve some pressure. There was still a decent...

My water heater pressure relief valve leaks a little b it of water when the burner tu [ 2 Answers ]

My water heater leaks about 1/2 once of water every time the burner turns on to heat the water. It leaks form the pressure relief valve. What the problem. Thanks

Whole-house water filter; Pressure question [ 11 Answers ]

Hello, In my house, we have an AquaPure water filter on the main water line (right after the meter). It works pretty well; the problem is, once the new filter cartridge has been in for a couple of weeks (but not long enough to need a cartridge change), the water pressure begins to drop...


View more questions Search