NikkiPlace
New Member
Dear forum,
I have this strange situation, that has been confusing two plumbers that I was consulting. I hope you can help with advice!
When I start my irrigation system, my master-bedroom shower will make a terrible grinding noise, followed by some water leaking from the shower head (see/hear in the attached video). This will last a few seconds, then fade. Except for that effect, both the shower and the irrigation system seem to work without problem.
More information:
My questions:
I’m completely confused about it and have no idea how to go about it.
Thank you for any advice or direction!
Nikki
I have this strange situation, that has been confusing two plumbers that I was consulting. I hope you can help with advice!
When I start my irrigation system, my master-bedroom shower will make a terrible grinding noise, followed by some water leaking from the shower head (see/hear in the attached video). This will last a few seconds, then fade. Except for that effect, both the shower and the irrigation system seem to work without problem.
More information:
- House water pressure is around 100 PSI.
- The shower is on the upper floor (split-level house). The house has other showers (including on the same floor and in the basement), but the aforementioned effect takes place ONLY in that one specific MBR shower.
- That shower was sometimes leaking (without noise) when toilets were flushed in the house. Plumber was called and replaced the Kohler K-GP876851 Rite-Temp Valve, and it fixed the problem with the flushing. However, a few months later when I started the irrigation system, the problem I mentioned started.
- The plumber said the new problem has nothing to do with the part that he replaced (which I find weird), and suggested it’s because of the high water pressure. He suggested installing a pressure reducer after the meter, taking the water pressure down to around 85 PSI.
- The irrigation system is automated, and has a solenoid master-valve located just below ground level. Its water supply is ¾”, right next to my water meter in the basement, approx 6 ft below ground. It has a Febco 765 Backflow Preventer before the master-valve.
- I called a second plumber who saw the leak/sound effect, said he never saw anything like that and hence preferred not to deal with it.
My questions:
- First and foremost, can I operate the irrigation system safely, or does that sound/leak indicate something bad is going on? (if so what am I risking?)
- What do you think is the root cause of the issue, and then what should be the fix?
I’m completely confused about it and have no idea how to go about it.
Thank you for any advice or direction!
Nikki