Plumbing question

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: JinLien

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Just a guess here... I'm thinking that the pressure reducing valves restrict the waterflow backwards...
When the waterheater heats up water, the water expands, increasing the pressure in the system, or pushing the water in the direction it can. If all the faucets are closed, the extra volume pushes the water backwards through the system (only slightly). Of course, there's a very small amount of expansion of the pipes themselves. I haven't a clue how significant this is. So, maybe it is worth the investment to install a thermal expansion tank.

Regardless, I'm thinking that since you've been hiring plumbers to do this work that it's time to get a couple of do-it-yourself books. (apologies to the plumbers in here who enjoy making money doing simple jobs) Do you ever watch any of those home-improvement shows on television? Just the other day, I saw one of them where they installed a water-softener system and suggested the average homeowner could accomplish the same task.

Pressure reducing valves reduces the water pressure that coming into your home.

Water heater expansion tank reduces the back flow from the expansion of heated water, and reduce pressure on your home piping joints.

Most tasks around the house can be done by home owner, but most home owner takes a very long time to do the task or don?t know the code or don?t have the right tools. Therefore it is better to get a professional to do the task.

Most people are capable of building their own home, but it is more efficient for people to get a job that they do well at and pay for the home that are built quickly by builders. Same thing can be said with software, because most people can learn how to code and built there own program, but it is cheaper and most of time better to purchase the software that do the tasks that you want.

Fixing a car is simple to a mechanical orientated person, but many people still bring in their car to get fix that cost more than they are willing to pay. I bet most people here don?t bother with the dead simple task of changing their own car oil.

It looks easy till you are doing it.

Changing the oil in the car *IS* easy. It's often more convenient to have it done at a garage, as so many of them compete for that business (avg oil change around me is $20) - many of the places count on getting extra business. "We noticed you need new brakes while we were changing your oil."

Replacing the brakes on a car is another very simple task - one that many people are intimidated to attempt, thus they (in general) overpay to have this service done for them. In the area of car repair, brakes are a perfect example of something the average person should learn to do themselves.

Writing software is a very poor example and analogy. The amount of training necessary as well as the time to write the program far far exceeds the difference between learning simple plumbing and electrical repairs in the home. An individual is not going to accomplish what teams of dozens of people do over the course of a year.

"Most tasks around the house can be done by home owner, but most home owner takes a very long time to do the task or don?t know the code or don?t have the right tools. Therefore it is better to get a professional to do the task." Very poor logical conclusion. For a typical home plumbing or electrical repair, the tools are quite inexpensive. Learning the appropriate codes is relatively easy as well. I have no idea what you mean by "very long time to do the task" - in the case of swapping out a faucet, a plumber can accomplish this task in about 1/3 the time of a homeowner - if the plumber is in a hurry. 10 minutes vs. 30 minutes of work.

Furthermore, as most people with good paying jobs typically work the same hours as plumbers, electricians, etc., they're often forced to take time off from work to be at the home while someone comes in to do the work for them. (Or, pay a little more for the plumber to come in during the evening or weekends.)

 

[DrPizza]

Pressure reducing valves reduces the water pressure that coming into your home.

Water heater expansion tank reduces the back flow from the expansion of heated water, and reduce pressure on your home piping joints.

Yes, we know that.
My question is, does a pressure reducing valve, due to its design, greatly restrict backflow? Anyone know for sure? (I'm betting it does)

 

[JinLien]

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Pressure reducing valves reduces the water pressure that coming into your home.

Water heater expansion tank reduces the back flow from the expansion of heated water, and reduce pressure on your home piping joints.

Yes, we know that.
My question is, does a pressure reducing valve, due to its design, greatly restrict backflow? Anyone know for sure? (I'm betting it does)

The pressure reducing valves do not restrict back flow because the seals are on the inlet, and none on the outlet side.

Check valves are design against backflow, and tend to have a ball that shutoff backflow if the outlet has greater pressure than inlet.