[nicetune]

LAUNDRY! There is (hot-cold) water everywhere in the two story (3/3) five years old duplex in Florida (with no freezing pipes or temperatures) but in the laundry room. Everything looks new and was properly checked including valves at the water heater. Outside meter replaced and pressure reducer valve checked and readjusted. Faucets OK. When the cold line is back flushed with neighbor's water supply (after cutting off my main line), water is not coming from the outside spigots but from the hot line in the same laundry room, and vice-versa. Plumber was unable to solve the problem after cutting the walls, leaving a major mess, and charge 350 dollars for it. He wanted to do a major surgical “bypass” by bringing water from another unknown point in the house and charge an extra 500 bucks :furious:. PLEASE HELP! It must be a logical reason for this puzzling problem and somebody must have an intelligent solution for it. Or it is a dead end?

 

[nicetune]

No water in the loundry room lines

Can a slab crack cut the lines? How? There is no spills according to the red star in the meter. :help:

 

[nicetune]

I'll take pictures today. The theory of the hidden valves somewhere in the house has been already mentioned by few pros. However, I did look for it (or them) everywhere, cabinets, closets, under-sinks, even in the attic. NOTHING! I heard form the previous tenants that the lines were working well until one day (I try to find the exact date) kaput, no more water there. Even if I may bring water from the water heater lines upstairs (after ripping off walls) I will keep wandering for the rest of my life WHY? Somebody else had the same problem in 2007 (I emailed him) but nobody came up with a good answer. :wallbash:Thanks for thinking with me. Perhaps we will find the root of the problem pioneering in this issue. You will be my honor guess in the celebration party... at the laundry room. :yes:

 

[nicetune]

Thanks Otherbill. I like your suggestion because it is likely that there is one somewhere since I suspect that the new property (2005) has to follow new plumbing codes. I just try to contact the builders and plumbers who worked in the new subdivision and guess what, both companies were out of business. :surrender: Any idea where the valves may be hidden behind the gypsum boards? I will follow that path :detective: !!! Where usually the balanced valves are installed? Around the water heater? :confused1:

 

[nicetune]

Thanks Otherbill. I'm in the small capital Tallahassee. I read the plumbing codes and it seems that yes they require the installation of balancing valves at least for showers. But where? What cover plate? Where is the cover plate? Water heater?

 

[nicetune]

Oh'mike, I already called the bank that repossessed the next door unit. It is vacant but a professional was sent tho check their system for possible vandalism. Everything is all right there.
There is not intermittence. Water was flowing normally all over the apartment for five years until few months ago when both of the laundry lines just stop working. Since that time there is low pressure all over. I got the forecosure apt and I stupidly forgot to hire a home inspector since everything looked great, like never used. I assumed that everything was working until the tenants called me: no water in the laundry!!!! I felt so bad for them that I have to reduce the rent until...
Thanks for your idea.

 

[nicetune]

The lines are 1/2 CPVC, two (hot and cold) go up to the second story and two go down to the slab. I'll upload a photo soon.

The shut off valve has been checked many times and even today I replaced the PRV (pressure reducer valve) by a new one (Watts). I back flush the system with 80 psi bypassing the PRV and NOTHING: no water circulation through the laundry lines. There is water on the three bathrooms, the ice maker and the kitchen sink but not in the laundry. :wallbash: