🚀 go-pugleaf

dannyb@panix.com (Daniel Burstein) writes:
: regarding the questions about why the hot water from the tap would at firs
: flow quite rapidly, then reduce in intensity, while the cold water didn't...
:   
: There are a number of things going on.
: 
: 1) There may be different piping systems, particularly if the building has
: undergone renovation.  While steel pipes have very little pressure related
: expansion (at least with thepressures normally encountered), plastic
: piping will have somewhat more.

In either one, the flow would increase as the pipes heated. This is not
what is happening.

: 2) There may be air in the system.  This will definitely compress under
: pressure, thus giving extra push when a valve is first opened.

Why would this make any difference? The pressure remains the same, air
or no air. Also, the change is not that rapid. No change occurs until
the water coming out of the faucet starts to get hot.

: 3) The water heater tank may have a bladder or similar expandable
: container in it.

No - they have no such thing. Pressure tanks on a well system have such
a bladder. However, this is not the cause - once again, the change is
not immediate.

: 4) there may be an extra "booster" pump on the heated water line which
: added a bit of pressure which gave an extra push when the water is first
: turned on.

Why? What would be the purpose? Also, no immediate change.

Trust Occam's razor. It is a case of the washer in the faucet expanding as
it heats - thus reducing the flow.

Bill