Alan Adamson
New Member
Apologies in advance for long post, but I think background is necessary.
Had Grundfos SQE constant pressure system installed. First problem was one day a CPVC pipe broke at joint prior to expansion tank and pressure gauge. Dealer repaired and said it must have been damaged by someone banging into it. Second problem, a few months later, was that the expansion tank started leaking around weld at stem. Dealer again replaced under warranty and said tank was deficient. Third problem was another leak in CPVC at a joint in line before controls/tank, coupled with air in the water line. I also, for the first time, realize that there is a very bad water hammer in the line. I'm now suspicious of the first dealer and call another plumber. New plumber says that either there is no check valve installed just above the pump or it is defective. Pulls pump and lo and behold there is no check valve installed. He installs a check valve (and also runs copper from where the water line enters the house to the copper where the controls/tank are mounted--says first installer was lazy/cheap and should have done that in first place). There was a check valve installed horizontally just before the tank, so now I have 2. The plumber mentions that the check valve inside is not necessary but I can leave it. Magically all of my problems seem to be solved--no more air in line and water hammer disappears.
Two weeks later, a new problem appears. When I run water, the water pressure fluctuates drastically in a regular rhythm. For example, when a toilet tank is refilling you can hear the pressure fluctuating. When I look at the pressure gauge (set at 60 psi), the pressure rapidly fluctuates between 50 and 80 psi in about 1 second waves. If I open up multiple faucets and increase the demand significantly I can make the waves disappear and the pressure will stabilize to approximately 60 psi.
Well is 10 years old and yielded 10 gpm when drilled. 180 feet deep, static water level is 40 ft. We are in rainy/snowy season and have had plenty of moisture so I don't think I have any issues with sufficient water.
Before I call plumber again, I was hoping to get some ideas on direction for the plumber, particularly since it's so expensive to pull up the pump. One thought was that second expansion tank was damaged by water hammer before second check valve was installed and that I need to replace yet again. Any ideas? When the system works, I love it--but this is testing my patience!
Thanks!
Had Grundfos SQE constant pressure system installed. First problem was one day a CPVC pipe broke at joint prior to expansion tank and pressure gauge. Dealer repaired and said it must have been damaged by someone banging into it. Second problem, a few months later, was that the expansion tank started leaking around weld at stem. Dealer again replaced under warranty and said tank was deficient. Third problem was another leak in CPVC at a joint in line before controls/tank, coupled with air in the water line. I also, for the first time, realize that there is a very bad water hammer in the line. I'm now suspicious of the first dealer and call another plumber. New plumber says that either there is no check valve installed just above the pump or it is defective. Pulls pump and lo and behold there is no check valve installed. He installs a check valve (and also runs copper from where the water line enters the house to the copper where the controls/tank are mounted--says first installer was lazy/cheap and should have done that in first place). There was a check valve installed horizontally just before the tank, so now I have 2. The plumber mentions that the check valve inside is not necessary but I can leave it. Magically all of my problems seem to be solved--no more air in line and water hammer disappears.
Two weeks later, a new problem appears. When I run water, the water pressure fluctuates drastically in a regular rhythm. For example, when a toilet tank is refilling you can hear the pressure fluctuating. When I look at the pressure gauge (set at 60 psi), the pressure rapidly fluctuates between 50 and 80 psi in about 1 second waves. If I open up multiple faucets and increase the demand significantly I can make the waves disappear and the pressure will stabilize to approximately 60 psi.
Well is 10 years old and yielded 10 gpm when drilled. 180 feet deep, static water level is 40 ft. We are in rainy/snowy season and have had plenty of moisture so I don't think I have any issues with sufficient water.
Before I call plumber again, I was hoping to get some ideas on direction for the plumber, particularly since it's so expensive to pull up the pump. One thought was that second expansion tank was damaged by water hammer before second check valve was installed and that I need to replace yet again. Any ideas? When the system works, I love it--but this is testing my patience!
Thanks!