In southern calif. I measured outside
water pressure of 105 lbs. seem excessive
should it be noted.
David
Pyramid Home Inspections
Anything above 100 psig should be regulated.
Thanks
Min. static pressure 40psi {15psi} . . . . . . . . . . . . . [2903.3] {608.1}
Max. unregulated pressure 80psi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[2903.3.1] {608.2}
I write up anything outside this range…without citing code, of course
“Outside” pressures are not an issue. It’s the house pressure that you should be checking.
Many areas around here have dual meters (one for irrigation and one for house supply). I have measured outside spigots as high as 160 psi (street pressure).
That why I measure house supply at the water heater in most cases. If it’s high at the WH, it’s high everywhere else in the house.
Do you check it at the drain valve?
I always check an exterior hose bib away from the main street line, and if that’s funky I will check at the washing machine.
Am I wrong to do it this way?
I never thought to check at the Water heater.:roll:
at closest hose bibb to street entrance over 80 psi should be regulated
If you open a water heater drain here in hard water Indiana, you might not get it to turn off completely because of sediment getting lodged in the valve. I would only check it outside at a hose bibb.
Can you provide a reference for this Steven?
Yes, at the drain valve. I use the washing machine spigot as well, it just depends on the circumstances.
I do an interior faucet, preferably the laundry if there is a laundry and if the washer isn’t hooked up to it (I don’t disconnect hoses). I have an adapter that I use for changing the water in my aquariums (get them at any good aquarium supply store). I simply remove the strainer cap from any faucet, put the adapter on, and measure the water pressure using a standard pressure gauge.
The highest pressure I’ve found was 187 psi. The homeowner disclosed that he was selling because his house was a “watermelon.” When I asked him what a watermelon house was, he said it was a lemon with water problems. When I explained to him that his water pressure was about 100 psi too high, he was amazed that his plumber didn’t note the problem and fix it. I said that his plumber needed the business, and he got regular business from the homeowner because of the burst pipes, failed faucets, etc. I think he fired his plumber, but he still sold the house. My Clients were quite happy to be educated about the disclosed water problems and why they were occurring.
I’ve never run into a situation where there were dual water meters on a property, but our irrigation systems usually are street side of the pressure regulator while the house is on the other side of the pressure regulator, making for higher pressures for the irrigation systems (and some of those exteiror hose bibs).
Now that you’ve finished reading this post, remember to make a trip to your local aquarium supply store and pick up a faucet adapter. Just tell them you want to be able to hook up a hose to your kitchen sink or bathroom sink faucet and they’ll know exactly what you’re trying to do.
This is becoming more, and more popular in areas under control of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).
Apparently, the sewer fees are quite high. With two meters, you get a lower rate for your irrigation-water, as compared to your household-water useage.
For the most part, surface water is directed to streams and rivers, which carry it out to sea. Household supply is directed to waste-water treatment plants through the sewer systems.
I carry the old kit that came with a water bed from 1980, but I rarely use it anymore.
Is your kit pink like mine TA…or light blue…?
Sounds backwards to me. Seems like in a desert environment one would charge higher fees to water unnecessarily rather than high fees for something that is quite necessary like household water.
Irrigation water does not have to be treated in the waste water treatment plant, hence the lower rate. Just as Jeff stated.
They do that in parts of Arizona as well…did pretty well installing seperate meters for irrigation as an aftermarket sale…
Irrigation water here is even worse than household water because of pesticides and fertilizers. We don’t want water full of pesticides and fertilizers going to our beaches and killing our ocean life and the wildlife that feeds on the ocean life.
Household water already has lots of good, natural fertilizers in it, so it quite often gets only minor treatment to be recycled as gray water to use for irrigation. But once it’s used for irrigation, it gets the major treatment.
LAWPD was the same way as recently as 2001, but it sounds like they have changed.
And in our mediterranean albeit desert environments here in Southern Carlifornia, virtually anything will grow if we give it enough water and fertilizer.
The water cost is the same, regardless of it’s use. Sewage fees are based on the amount of water going into the sewer.
Waste water from household use, goes directly to the city sewer system, which, in turn, goes to treatment plants ($$$).
Storm drains (even in San Diego) lead to streams, rivers and culverts, which carry surface water out to sea. Excess surface water (rain or irrigation) leads to storm drains.
