Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
11/11/2006 10:42:28 AM EDT
I have high water pressure.

My supply side pressure coming from the meter is approx 160psi.  I have a Watts 35B regulator and while the water is running it works flawlessly, I just replaced all the rubber parts from a rebuild kit.  I have the running water pressure set at 60psi.

That being said, on 3/4" copper pipe, as soon as I shut off the water, my water pressure quickly climbs to 110psi, and if left to sit long enough, will climb to match the supply side.

To some degree i'm sure it could be thermal expansion from the water heater, but how fast it climbs immediately after turning off any fixture leads me to believe its just from the supply side.

Is there a solution to this?

Would 2 regulators ever be able to deal with it?  Is an expansion tank necessary or would it even stop the problem?  The house is only 6 years old, but I still worry about my pipes bursting from the high pressure.
11/11/2006 11:10:42 AM EDT
[#1]
I think your problem is either your regulator is defective, or it is thermal expansion from your water heater.  A check valve in the water heater supply line or an expansion tank should stop this.  If it does not, then replace your regulator.
11/11/2006 11:11:54 AM EDT
[#2]
Your pressure regulator isn't working.
it should hold the downside at whatever pressure you set it to.
ask this on the DIY forum.
11/11/2006 11:23:57 AM EDT
[#3]

What they said....  Plus, 60psi seems a tad high, for your inside pressure.  

I'm only an electrician, but I've picked up a few tidbits along the way from guys on jobsites.

Funny you said that number, I actually remember more than a couple plumbers back home in CT mentioning the water pressure was about 60 psi as well in the town we worked in and it causes them bunches of problems.

Anyways, it sounds like your regulator has a small internal leak.  Probably why it's "mostly" working, but slowly equalizing the pressure on the low side, to the high after a while.  I'd replace it and see what happens.  

11/11/2006 12:43:29 PM EDT
[#4]
Regulators are default set at 50, I just bumped mine to 60 after I rebuilt it since I have a 2 story and want decent water pressure for showers upstairs.

A new regulator is $95, I was hoping to not have to replace it, 5-6 years seems like a pretty damn early failure, the Watts 35b is rated to handle incoming pressure up to 400psi.