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Author:
ddbbp (KS)
I have noticed that with everything OFF in the house.... periodically, I see the dial on my meter spinning very slowly clockwise for a brief moment and then counterclockwise for a brief moment and back to steady off.
Its not spinning quickly, like it would even if you put a faucet on a slight trickle. And it indeed is going in both directions. Its the tiny dial, not the one that registers gallons that I am referring to.
I have a checkvalve/ backflow preventer installed after the meter as per town requirement. I also have an expansion tank at the water heater. And the meter is new. I noticed the same thing with the old meter before it was replaced. There is nothing out of the ordinary in regards to the bill either.
Ive checked for leaks, replaced flapper on toilet etc. All I can think of is there a tiny bit of bounce back and forth with water pressure?
Is this normal?
Does fluctuation in city water pressure cause this?
How about the check valve or the expansion tank?
Edited 3 times.
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Author:
KCRoto (MO)
I have to ask.. do you normally sit around and watch the water meter?
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Author:
ddbbp (KS)
No I don't. But thats irrelevant to the question at hand.
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
meter is normal
? for you to notice ?
==============================================
"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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Author:
hj (AZ)
If the city pressuer spikes upwards, some water will enter the house to equalize the pressures, and when the spike disappears, the extra water in the house will "drain" back through the meter into the main, again to equalize pressures.
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Author:
ddbbp (KS)
thanks HJ.
When I said "Off in the house" I meant no fixtures in use. ... but the main shutoff still open. So the system is under pressure. So it would be city>curbstop>meter>checkvalve>shutoff>house.
Does that change anything?
I was confused about the backwards rotation... I didn't think it was possible for the dial to move both ways. So if it does move in the opposite direction, in any case that would mean an issue with city pressure outside
(as opposed to say a leak between the curb and the meter for instance?)
Just trying to grasp how this works... sorry if I come off like a crazy person (not sure why I would for just being observant here).
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Author:
packy (MA)
if the meter is installed backwards the meter will do that. so if there is a pressure build up from the street it would force water into the house and then the wheel would go backwards as the pressure equalizes.
i'm not saying it is backwards, just that it will act like that if there are pressure changes.
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Author:
ddbbp (KS)
in regards to the backward pressure regulating, how many psi do you think it takes to show movement on the meter?
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
not a psi issue
a mechanical water movement issue
like a water wheel
==============================================
"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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Author:
ddbbp (KS)
and finally, should this be considered a negative thing?
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Author:
steve (CA)
How close is the check valve/backflow preventer from the meter?
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Author:
hj (AZ)
If the meter were installed backwards, the city would have to send THEM a check every month.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
PSI would be irrelevant. It is how much water, and to "move" the "flow indicator" it would take very little.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
It is "nothing". the in and out movements cancel themselves out so it does not affect your water bill in any way. The expansion tank is acting as an accumulator which "amplifies" the effect, but I would have to see HOW the backflow preventer is installed to see if it SHOULD prevent the symptoms.
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Author:
ddbbp (KS)
"How close is the check valve/backflow preventer from the meter?"
Its only about 6"-8" after the meter.
If its not fully closing and allowing this "bounce" should I be concerned?
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