Hot Water Question

[Greenhand]

We just redid some plumbing, including the feed to the hot water tank. As part of this, we took out the QEST check valve and installed a bronze swing check valve. Now, the hot water tank is acting as an accumulator: It has enough pressure that the water will run up to 20 seconds (from one faucet) before the pump quicks on. Similarly, the pump the runs for up to 20 seconds after you turn the faucet off. The pressure at the faucet seems higher, as well, but then I never measured it.

I suppose this could be normal and we had something wrong before, but the delay is a bit disconcerting. We haven't turn the heating element on because of it. Is it normal? Are we over pressuring our hot water tank somehow? (We tested the TPR valve, it seems to work) Am I just panicking because I have been overwhelmed with projects the last two weeks?

[Reefmagnet]

Air in the tank will do that.

[Greenhand]

Originally Posted by Reefmagnet

Air in the tank will do that.

Thanks, we will go back to bleeding. This is exactly why we haven't turned the heating element back on, yet!

[Reefmagnet]

No worries. it's doesn't often happen that the fix is simple!

[wooden head]

Yes air in the tank most likely, or could be in plumbing elsewhere. Check all lines are bled especially with hoses rather than hard pipe that can cause the same issues don't forget the shower and wash down hose if aplicable. you are wise not to fire up tank quick way to fry an element if there is air in the tank.

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[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Greenhand

We just redid some plumbing, including the feed to the hot water tank. As part of this, we took out the QEST check valve and installed a bronze swing check valve. Now, the hot water tank is acting as an accumulator: It has enough pressure that the water will run up to 20 seconds (from one faucet) before the pump quicks on. Similarly, the pump the runs for up to 20 seconds after you turn the faucet off. The pressure at the faucet seems higher, as well, but then I never measured it.

I suppose this could be normal and we had something wrong before, but the delay is a bit disconcerting. We haven't turn the heating element on because of it. Is it normal? Are we over pressuring our hot water tank somehow? (We tested the TPR valve, it seems to work) Am I just panicking because I have been overwhelmed with projects the last two weeks?

Troubleshooting 101 suggests that if something was working fine before you worked on it and not working fine after you worked on it, the problem is probably related to the work you did. My first thought is that you may have put the check valve in backwards. My second thought is, the new valve may have to be installed in a particular orientation (horizontal or vertical) and you didn't install it correctly.

If you run water long enough, that should bleed any air out of the tank.