General Plumbing Q's & A's

[Mountain_Witch]

Good advice there Moose, Thanks.
I'll be sure to tell Mr. Witch to bring home one of those expansion tanks from work so we can get it installed ASAP.

[snwbnny]

where do u get an expansion tank and how does it attach? if we have a closet around the water heater, will this be a possibility.

[Mountain_Witch]

Mike at Mountain Hardware should be able to order one with no problem, if you are interesting in purchasing one. As for the installation and how it attaches, I'm sure Moose or PlumberFord could explain that far better than I could.

[Moose]

I will let the real experts talk more about the details of the installation.  But in general, you should not have any problem putting a tank in a closet.  It connects between the cold water shutoff valve and the cold water inlet of the water heater using the copper flex tubing and a T connector on top of the expansion tank.  I think you will be pleased with the results.  I was.

Enough from the weekend do-it-yourselfer. Let's here from the experts!

[Plumberford]

[headchat]

Thanks for the expert advice, Plumberford.  We've had our pressure regulator changed twice in the last 3 years and I'm thinking it needs done again.  It's been grumbling, rattling, and shaking me in my bed. This was making me nuts but about a week ago that all stopped and I haven't a clue why.

[Plumberford]

The noise could be caused by dirt on the diaphragm of the pressure regulator which will make it vibrate.  If it quit, the dirt probably washed off if there is no difference in the water pressure in the house.  A bad faucet washer will also make your pipes vibrate.  Mineral deposits in the water heater will cause rumbling and groaning but those noises usually don't quit.  If you have noticed any difference in your water pressure in the house, you should have the water pressure checked.  The water pressure can drop low or go high depending on how the regulator goes out.

[headchat]

[Mountain_Witch]

Thank You Very Much Plumberford, I'll be calling you real soon.

[snwbnny]

Question: What would cause the water pressure in only one shower go down? When we moved into this house in May, the water pressure in the upstairs bathroom was great. Over the months, the water pressure has been getting lower and lower. Even if the water is turned up all the way, it is practically worthless as a shower. The sink in that bathroom is perfectly fine, as is the toilet. The kitchen, right next to this bathroom is also just fine. The water heater is down in the basement. The shower down there is great. So what happened to the pressure in the upstairs shower? And what parts do I need to be looking at? The fixtures in there are not that old, most of that bathroom was re-done a couple years ago.

[Bob C]

Question: What would cause the water pressure in only one shower go down?

Is this a tub/shower, or just a shower? Can you remove the spray head, and see how much flow you have? This would at least eliminate the spray head as the problem (maybe its clogged).

[snwbnny]

its a tub and shower. the water pressure is low to both. and something else i didn't think to mention - the handle only goes up or down (controls pressure and temp at the same time). the heat is lower than it used to be. i can have the handle turned all the way up, in order to get the water pressure at its highest and its still only warm water - nevr hot.

[Chesslike]

You might have grit or debris in the manifold of your mixing valve or one of the valve seats. It needs to be taken apart and inspected.