Hot water system questions

[Arron]

Hi, can anyone tell me what this thing is. Its is in the cold water inlet line to our electric hot water system. It appears to be some type of non-return valve. Its leaking, but there are two of them plumbed in in series (the other one is just above this one, out of the photo), so I am wondering if I can just dispense with this one. Otherwise, can I replace it myself - I would rather not call a plumber unless I really need to.

Also, I want to reroute the outlet from the pressure relief valve. The new position would put the outlet about 1 metre higher then the top of the cylinder itself, and about 3 metres away. Is this a OK, or should the outlet be below the cylinder ?

thanks
Arron

[MICKYG]

Hi Arron,

The picture looks as if it is a water pressure reduction valve and
should be left in the system. I do not know why there would be two in series. You could replace the leaky one with one the same pressure reduction rating or perhaps the two of them with the correct Valve. They are a pain in the **** when they leak.

I am not a plumber but son in law is. I will enquire of him for you tomorrow. Are there abnormal water pressures where you live?
We have high pressures in Glen Innes hence the bit of knowledge
re Valve. They are usually available at most hardware stores.

Kind regards

Mike.

[coastie]

If you want to get scalded then go ahead,the outlets for pressure relief valves must be at ground level,there should also be a valve to set the temperature in the line somewhere (esp. if you have kids),leave it to a plumber !!:mad:

[Arron]

Sorry, forgot to mention that the outlet for the pressure relief valve would still be at ground level - its a sloping block.

I had a look at the neighbours system, and theirs is exactly as I proposed (ie, goes up about a metre and then runs to the side of the house), also I notice we have an old disconnected outlet pipe at the same position so obviously ours was once plumbed that way too.

I understood that the 'valve to set the temperature' was the thermostat inside the tank. I'm not proposing to touch that.

Thanks for the reply Mike. The water pressures here are nothing special.

regards
Arron

[MICKYG]

Arron,

The two valves are 1 - pressure relief valve to relive the town pressuree which should be the one in the picture about 600 kpa and valve 2 - will be a valve which allows pressure to escape the
hws should the normal pressure valve on top fail.

This allows discharge for safety reasons. You need to have both valves one and two repaired and tested or replaced. It might be
and idea to have the other tested as well, unless it is obivious
that it functions as it should.

The outlet for the overflow / pressure relief should be installed with a straight drop to ground where it cannot scald anyone should something fail as mentioned in coastie's thread.
They are usually installed to drop rather than go uphill in most cases.

If you are not sure you should engage a plumber, do not make
any compromise with regards the safety measures in place.

Have a great XMAS Arron

Kind regards

Mike.

[Arron]

Thanks for clearing that up for me Mick. It all sounds a bit too complicated really. Time to call a plumber.

cheers
Arron

[soundman]

Unfortunately hotwater systems are a neglected item.
All of those valves on your hot water systen have a limited lefe span & should be date stamped.
I'm not sure of the actual life but ist shorter than you might think.

while you have the plumber get him to check the sacrifical anode in the top of the tank (assuming mains presure type) they should be replaced every 5 to 10 years.
Very rarely are they replaced at all thus the reason that HWS dont last as long as they should.

I spoke to the engineer at one of the manufacturers who said thy had the anodes in stock but only sold a hand full every year.

I believe that the valves realy are best installed horisontal all i have seen are but I may be wrong.

The instructions you get with any new HWS detali the requirements & function of all that stuff.

probably availabe as PDF from the manufacturers site.

cheers.