Isn't there a strainer inside that can become clogged with sediment? Refer to your papers or look up online your model.

It appears the top cone portion can be removed by loosening row of screws.
At one time I had the information sheet can't find it now. Maybe the indentification tag will allow me to access info online.

Most faucets have a max rating of 80PSI. Even setting it to 85 is quite high. Normal settings are more in the 40-60 range.

tony 41,

When you added the pressure regulator you may have created a closed plumbing system. Did you also add a thermal expansion tank?

Didn't add exansion tank.

Which way do you turn most regulators to increase pressure?

If you didn't add an expansion tank you're looking for trouble... click here

a clockwise turn will increase downstream pressure.

Thanks Tim and everyone else for posting! There is some nice people on these boards.

I found regulator info sheet. It mentions removing internal parts and then flushing to get rid of any sediment. Plumber friend said sediment could be causing the no responce when adjusting pressure.

Why don't you get your plumber friend to resolve this problem for you and while you're at it... ask your plumber friend about thermal expansion.

My friend no longer does plumbing he owns & runs a country store.
From reading the Info sheet the regulator I have is a "Watts" brand with built-in thermal expansion by-pass.

I didn't see any indication in the posts about creating a closed system when the PRV was installed, so am I missing something here about the extrol tank?

Never ssw an extrol tank anywhere but on a boiler system and an amtrol on a well system.

In general the addition of a PRV creates a closed system and that requires installation of a thermal expansion tank.

There are now PRVs that include a thermal expansion bypass valve to alleviate the additional pressure a closed plumbing system generates but I have seen those valves fail while the PRV portion continues to work properly so IMO for the minimal cost of a small thermal expansion tank you get complete security from exploding a water heater, popping faucet washers and fixture connections.

There was no mention in this thread of an extrol tank.

If you read the link in the 7th post in this thread there's some interesting info regarding thermal expansion.

Extrol is a brand name of Amtrol's expansion tank, but it's the same as Watt's tank.

I work in the heating industry where closed systems and expansion tanks are the norm, but this is the first I've heard of them used in plumbing, except for the complaint of pipe banging.

In that case, a PRV is installed.

With the advent of backflow preventers and check valves, I can see where an extrol tank might be desirous, but to my knowledge, a temp. and press. relief valve is all that is required.

Well, that's what I like about these forums; an opportunity to learn as well as teach.

I don't work professionally in plumbing, so I wouldn't necessarily know that an expansion tank is required in some areas, but sure enough. Another lesson learned.

Thanks, lurker. You are a great help.

baymee,

If you check code you'll find that closed plumbing systems and expansion tanks have been required since somewhere in the 90s I think.

T&P valves are safety devices not intended to be subjected to the frequent burping that is the #1 symptom of thermal expansion problems. When T&P valve are too often exercised they tend to fail and if they fail closed bad things can and do happen.

Yes, same problem with the PRV burping on a boiler, my specialty.

Many parts of PA never had or enforced building codes until a few years ago and that's why I never saw one.

I asked a plumber today how long the regs have been out and he said about 3 years in his area.

I built my house in '77 and had additions, new installations, etc., up until today, all done by me and never had any inspections.

In PA they're too busy enforcing Willy Penn's Blue Laws to enforce 20th century building and plumbing codes...

Sounds good to us!

I didn't catch that comment at first. This is off-topic, but Mr. Hubschman,half owner of Two Guys from Harrison, whose family I was friends with through his kids in grade school, overturned the PA blue laws in the U.S. Supreme court in the early '60s.

Sunday here is like Sunday everywhere else.

It wasn't when I grew up there but you still have the State Stores don't you?

Oh yes. They aren't going anywhere soon.

Pennsylvania has the largest rural population in the US, with all sorts of little towns and hamlets. There is still an "anything goes" mentality here when it comes to codes. I'm just making a stupid remark now, but probably 10% of work done by homeowners is ever permitted or checked.

My work involves a state inspector. Codes really have good intentions, are based usually on good reasoning and aren't really all that intrusive, but the "anything goes" mentality says that a pimple-faced inspector isn't going to tell some skilled homeowner that his pressure relief pipe is 7" off the floor because he wasn't aware of the code and that he has to change it to 6". So, many people do what they want and never tell anybody.