With my recent plumbing success and my graduation to master plumber, I feel embolden to tackle another plumbing issue. About 6 months ago, I noticed a fairly loud rattle coming from my pipes anytime we are using water. I isolated it, I think, to the back flow preventor. Is sounds like a rattle and resonates though out the pipes so you can hear it all over the home. But it's really loud by the regulator. When I put my ear next to the back flow preventer it definately sounds like it is coming from that. It's pretty darn loud. But I'm also suspicious that the expansion tank could be a contributor? And no I have not tested the psi yet in the expansion tank. I found a new old stock back flow preventor that I think is identical to the one I have. Since I don't know what I'm doing again, I would love to hear your input.
Wondering why there is a tee before the check valve and bladder tank. Should be easy to change the check valve since it has a union built into it. Use a very small amount of pipe dope, then 3 wraps of teflon tape, then another very light coating of dope on the male adapter/threads
I do not think that is a bladder tank, looks more like an expansion tank. If the expansion tank is bad you will get water hammer could be what you are hearing. The air inside the bladder in the expansion tank absorbs the water pulses, water does not compress, if it is not working all the "noises" will be transmitted thru the pipes.
the way it is plumbed neither should be hard to change, being you have the valve give it a go, if it continues move to the tank. To change the bf preventer the system will be drained a good time to check the expansion tank pressure, might change both at the same time.
It is an expansion tank, not a well bladder tank. Does that make sense? I realize there is a bladder in the expansion tank also. This is not a hammer noise, but a fluttering rattle. Still think it's coming from the back flow regulator? The tee goes to a sprinkler system. There is another back flow regulator just above the tee that is not in the pictures, but that one is not making any noise.
Perfect! Just switch them! If its a constant noise, it's not water hammer. Water hammer is a bang in the pipes when a valve closes fast. Like a solenoid valve on the dish/clothes washer or a flush valve on a commercial style toilet. An expansion tank is usually not the cure for water hammer.
Good idea You'll need to put a gauge on somewhere so you know how much pressure is in the house and to precharge the tank accordingly. Home depot has these gauges. you can just screw it on a hose bib. 3/4 in. Plastic Water Pressure Test Gauge-DP IWTG - The Home Depot
It's a constant noise whenever there is water demand, like the toilet, washer, dishwasher is consuming water. I have replaced the expansion tank before when the bladder failed and that was a knock whenever valves closed. This is a constant loud fluttering sound whenever water is being consumed. I have the new regulator , so no need to switch anything...
I don't have the gauge, but checked it many years ago and out water pressure is really high. Somewhere around 115. Never did anything about it.
Wow! That is really high!!! You might want to add a Pressure Reducing Valve and get that down to about 60 Psi. That high pressure is hard on faucet seats and toilet fill valves and the like. Could be what's making your check valve noisy also
Sounds like my wife. The neighbor had a toilet hose blow when they were on vacation and it flooded their house. She's been hounding me for 10 years about our high water pressure cause that's what her girlfriend told her (supposedly the whole neiborhood is high). My buddy is in sewer construction and when he comes to my house alway comments about my crazy high pressure. He noticed it when we washed my car with the garden hose. I do have more than my share of leaky facets over the years. Sprinklers work great however. I have absolutely know idea about pressure releaf valves and how to install them.
Pretty simple. The pressure reducing valve will take your incoming pressure and reduce the pressure without reducing the flow. You can adjust the pressure with the bolt on the top. https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai...ahUKEwjN5KL89N7SAhVGOyYKHdUvBhgQwzwIOQ&adurl= Would install like your check valve
Even if you have to pay someone to put one in, get it done now! You are on borrowed time until something catastrophic happens. Most plumbers consider anything over 80# "over-pressurized" We had a new housing development that went in a few years back...had about 110 lbs water pressure...had stuff blowing apart all up and down the street the first few months...city had to put regulators in. Even had a main line blow apart when a contractor failed to restrain it properly while adding on to it.
Imagine the tongue lashing you'll get when there's 2" of water in the basement... Just call a plumber...
