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General Plumbing and Gasfitting Talk => Ask Plumbers (Public) => Plumbing => Q & A - Hot Water Cylinders => Topic started by: fluffitt on November 03, 2011, 04:56:55 PM

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Title: Hot water backfeeding to the street
Post by: fluffitt on November 03, 2011, 04:56:55 PM

Hi there, we are having our water mains fixed in the street at the moment and we have been told that our hot water cylinder is backfeeding out to the street. When the water is turned back on at the street we can hear the hot water cylinder filling up and the workmen have said this shouldn't happen. Do you know why this would happen? is it a problem? we are in Christchurch in an earthquake damage district would this be a cause? Thanks

Title: Re: Hot water backfeeding to the street
Post by: Thunderhead on November 03, 2011, 06:41:33 PM

This can happen on low pressure open vented systems...it is only a problem if you have a mains pressure system as there is a non return valve as part of the valve gear...if operation has returned to normal then i would guess that there is no problem but if you have any doubt call your local plumber to come and have a look...or even just ring your local plumber and have a chat,and if he thinks it needs a visit then get him in. As a new cylinder costs around a grand+instalation whats a hundred dollars to get your local plumber to make sure things are ok!.