Check valve - is it in the correct position - cross connection?
Hi, Here is a photo of our current piping setup around the water heater: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21503963@N04/5550135707/ On the far left is what we think is a return line, next to that is the hot water pipe and on the right is the cold water pipe. Behind the flue is a check valve pointing to the right…
Hi,
Here is a photo of our current piping setup around the water heater:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21503963@N04/5550135707/
On the far left is what we think is a return line, next to that is the hot water pipe and on the right is the cold water pipe.
Behind the flue is a check valve pointing to the right ->. Now, we have a problem with a cross connection in our apartment and one theory is the check valve is in the wrong position and ought to be closer to the water heater on the cold pipe. What do you guys think?
Yes, that valve does look a little nast!! Put in a full port ball valve and make sure they also install a hose bibb as well as I stated above. You can almost see the arrow in the first picture, can’t see if it’s facing the proper direction. If you’ve had 2 Plumbers in there already, I’m sure one of them would have checked that first. If you’re looking for someone in Harlem, drop an email to my office (aladdinplumbing2@gmail.com) and I can recommend someone.
Lastly..anybody know a good plumber in Harlem? I also had a guy in from RotoRooter, but wanted $650 to switch out a check-valve.
Fellas, here is the deal I have had so far with the 2 plumbers I have had in. The first guy told me I needed a new water heater. OK, that may be the case, but since I can get a steady continuous flow of hot water by leaving the shower faucet on hot upstairs (when I do that, any hot faucet downstairs delivers scalding hot water w/o any issues), I know that a new water heater won’t fix this issue. So, time for a second opinion. The next plumber tells me it is our washing machine and we need to have that replaced. Again, turning off the water to the washing machine didn’t fix the problem, so no idea why he wants us to get a new machine!
Agree though, time for another plumber. I think at this point I will have the check valve replaced (more visible in this photo – behind the flue):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21503963@N04/5553644136/in/photostream/
and possibly the 1/2″ line valve, which despite attempting to turn off for half an hour just keeps twisting:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21503963@N04/5553644498/in/photostream/
Anyway, thanks for your input all.
Listen to Bklnite and first thing I would do is take a look at the check valve!! It could be stuck in the open position….Should be an easy replacement for a Professional Plumber. Also, if there’s no circulator on the return line (which there doesn’t seem to be), it would be a good idea to install a ball valve and hose bibb to “prime” the line to make sure to get the air out and get good return flow.
I responded to your January post on the same issue with my experience. My suspicion was (and is) a failed valve allowing cold water to travel the wrong direction into the hw recirc loop as the problem. Seems you’ve been chasing other explanations (like the washer) since then.
My (non professional) opinion is a valve near your water heater ain’t working.
After so many posts on your cross connection issue, don’t you think it’s time to get a good plumber rather than trying to diagnose on brownstoner?
That’s not a check valve, it’s a pressure reducing valve. It’s feeding into a backflow preventer. The position of the two of those should be reversed, the backflow preventer should be on the high pressure side of the pressure reducing valve.
None of that is your problem, though.
Your flue pipe, on the other hand….who the heck is your plumber?