The short answer is: YES! We’ve been having water issues at The Glade which we thought were isolated events:
- hissing hot water heater (even after replacing relief valve),
- leaking dishwasher,
- leaking hot water heater in the Cottage,
- running upstairs toilet,
- increased water pressure in the sinks.
Apparently these problems are related by “water pressure”. More specifically too much water pressure. The water that comes into the house goes through a water meter (so the county can charge us for our water) and then through a pressure reducing valve.
The plumber I called says they last a long time. I’ve been in the house for 16 years and have never had it replaced and the house was built in 1946 so it’s probably just worn out. Ours looks like this.
The silver screw at the top tightens to increase pressure and loosens to reduce pressure. Charlie thought we could change this thing ourselves but I watched a YouTube video which dissuaded me from that idea.
When the plumber arrived he checked the water pressure at an outdoor spigot: over 150 pounds per square inch (psi), normal is somewhere between 45 and 60 psi because “anything above 80 psi could damage or leak plumbing fixtures and appliances.” Yikes, we’ll be lucky if anything works but the plumber is not leaving until it does.
It wasn’t an easy job but the new water pressure regulating valve was installed for $195.
All systems go.
Except the dishwasher which still needs to be reassembled.
Do you have to do your own troubleshooting? What’s your weapon of choice?
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