Thread: Q: for plumbers

For my house yes the outside tap next to where the incomer is is mains while the house inside was all low pressure, its now all high pressure.



My house is 1968 so its possible yours is the same layout. NB It also acts as a handy drain point if you need to work on the plumbing so I'd suspect its common. Any other taps outside could be either but mains would make the most sense, but having seen the abortions under ppls houses anything is possible.



Yes put a dead head gauge on it, must depend on where in Wellington, my pressure is 90~100psi. (6bar plus) if you have 3bar (45psi) incoming that is a problem.

I cant see the council would put a restrictor in (never heard of it), more likely they damaged the incoming pipe putting in the new valve. Its probably 3/4 inch (20mm) but 1/2inch (15mm) is possible. You shouldnt see a big variation between no flow and full flow a few psi (like 5) at most if you do say the gauge drops 50% there is a damaged pipe somewhere. If its 45psi doubt the council will do much.

If you are putting in a gas unit that needs mains you should be able to find a cut in point before the tank. If possible though convert the house all to mains but that probably means a new hot water cylinder about $1k ish for a stainless steel unit...I see brand new peter cox 10 year stainless steel waranteed units on Trademe quite often. if you think you might do solar heating then put a 300litre one in and not a 180litre thats about $1600.

Oh and the NR valve, I'd expect it to have a filter, might be blocked but unlikely.