Plumbing Problems

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Bananabob

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#240667 19-Sep-2018 16:18

Talking to my plumber and he suggested that I could benefit from installing a pressure limiting valve on the water mains. Street pressure is 750kPa the fitments in the house are rated 500kPa (as are most houses) Therefore the street pressure should be reduced. Does anyone have any experience of these they can share with me?

I am most worried that the drop in pressure will affect the pressure in the shower and we love high pressure showers.

RunningMan

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#2093296 19-Sep-2018 16:20

500kPa is still very good pressure.

Aredwood

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#2093471 19-Sep-2018 21:00

A good quality limiting valve makes very little difference to the max flow rate available. And will only make a big difference at 0 or low flow rates. It should also have a mesh filter as well.

These valves are important to protect modern tapware. And often any warranties on the tapware are void if a limiting valve and mesh filter are not installed.

If you have a mains pressure hot water cylinder, there is probably already a limiting valve installed on its inlet. In which case, just get the plumber to move it to the incoming watermain. If there is a limiting valve on the inlet to a mains pressure hot water cylinder. Relocating it to the incoming watermain actually improves the showers. As it makes the hot and cold water pressures the same. Which reduces temp changes in the shower if another tap gets turned on.

It also reduces stress on your dishwasher and washing machine inlet valves.

I found that in my own house, my single lever tapware became smoother to operate after installing a limiting valve on my watermain (previously only had the mesh filter) Was surprised how much difference it made.

timmmay

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#2093479 19-Sep-2018 21:04

We had one fitted when we went to mains pressure hot water, as it was too high. The cold pressure is lower, but it's good as it's less likely to cover you in water. The only annoying part is the outside hose pressure is lower as well, as one of the taps is after the valve due to accessibility problems.

You should get one fitted to protect your taps.

freitasm

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#2093531 19-Sep-2018 23:12

Moved to correct forum.

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Bananabob

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#2094384 21-Sep-2018 10:56

Thanks for the replies

I presume that if a valve is fitted on the hot water tank that fitting another on the mains inlet will make the hot water tank one redundant, that is that it will not reduce the pressure anymore?