Potentially failing pressure regulator?

[bafenator]

I replaced the pressure regulator on my home a little over seven years
ago, and installed an expansion tank as well. All has been well since
then.

About three weeks ago, I noticed that I was getting a LOT more flow
from faucets than I should be. I put the pressure gauge on the line,
60PSI - just like I had set it when I installed the regulator.

Tonight, the flow from the faucet was even higher - so I put the
pressure gauge on again. 115PSI. Wow. I turned on the hot water to
see how low the pressure would go, expecting it to either drop
quickly, or stay even. It did drop, but only over about a full minute
of use. Then, it stayed right at 60PSI, like it should, even after
the water was shut off. Since the gauge has a "maximum reached"
indicator, I left it on, I'll check what the peak pressure was in the
morning.

Thanks to the expansion tank, I haven't seen pressure raise like that
from the water heater. And even if the expansion bladder had failed,
I would expect pressure to drop quickly when water was used. Does
this sound like my pressure regulator is starting to go out on me? If
so, I'd rather replace it proactively...

 

[harry k]

I replaced the pressure regulator on my home a little over seven years
ago, and installed an expansion tank as well.  All has been well since
then.

About three weeks ago, I noticed that I was getting a LOT more flow
from faucets than I should be.  I put the pressure gauge on the line,
60PSI - just like I had set it when I installed the regulator.

Tonight, the flow from the faucet was even higher - so I put the
pressure gauge on again.  115PSI.  Wow.  I turned on the hot water to
see how low the pressure would go, expecting it to either drop
quickly, or stay even.  It did drop, but only over about a full minute
of use.  Then, it stayed right at 60PSI, like it should, even after
the water was shut off.  Since the gauge has a "maximum reached"
indicator, I left it on, I'll check what the peak pressure was in the
morning.

Thanks to the expansion tank, I haven't seen pressure raise like that
from the water heater.  And even if the expansion bladder had failed,
I would expect pressure to drop quickly when water was used.  Does
this sound like my pressure regulator is starting to go out on me?  If
so, I'd rather replace it proactively...

Before replacing the regulator, pull the little riser pipe it is
mounted on and check that it isn't blocked with crud. I have to clean
mine about every 6-8 years (well pumps a bit of silt). With it
blocked, the pressure seen by the switch lags way behind the real
pressure. Mine would way over pressure and then go to zero and sit
there for awhile before starting again.

Harry K

 

[harry k]

I replaced the pressure regulator on my home a little over seven years
ago, and installed an expansion tank as well.  All has been well since
then.

About three weeks ago, I noticed that I was getting a LOT more flow
from faucets than I should be.  I put the pressure gauge on the line,
60PSI - just like I had set it when I installed the regulator.

Tonight, the flow from the faucet was even higher - so I put the
pressure gauge on again.  115PSI.  Wow.  I turned on the hot water to
see how low the pressure would go, expecting it to either drop
quickly, or stay even.  It did drop, but only over about a full minute
of use.  Then, it stayed right at 60PSI, like it should, even after
the water was shut off.  Since the gauge has a "maximum reached"
indicator, I left it on, I'll check what the peak pressure was in the
morning.

Thanks to the expansion tank, I haven't seen pressure raise like that
from the water heater.  And even if the expansion bladder had failed,
I would expect pressure to drop quickly when water was used.  Does
this sound like my pressure regulator is starting to go out on me?  If
so, I'd rather replace it proactively...

Ooops, forgot. I can't explain why it took so long for the pressure
to drop. I, too, would expect it to start down as soon as water was
drawn.

Harry K

 

[bafenator]

Ooops, forgot.  I can't explain why it took so long for the pressure
to drop.  I, too, would expect it to start down as soon as water was
drawn.

Harry K

YEah, I'll take it apart tonight. The peak pressure reached overnight
was 132 PSI.

 

[JIMMIE]

YEah, I'll take it apart tonight.  The peak pressure reached overnight
was 132 PSI.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

132 PSI will probably blow your regulator. The normal big box store
regulator will not work in your case.

Jimmie

 

[bafenator]

YEah, I'll take it apart tonight.  The peak pressure reached overnight

132 PSI will probably blow your regulator. The normal big box  store
regulator will not work in your case.

I swung by a real plumbing store, and picked up a 1" unit. Going from
a 3/4" regulator to a 1" regulator made more of a difference than I
expected... before, two faucets (or filling the tub) would drop my
pressure to 30PSI inside the house. With the new unit, I turned on
the tub and every faucet in the house (to rinse out the flux), and
still had 40PSI. Not bad for an extra $15!