Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 30, 2000 11:00pm | #13

   *
   Hey, I'm no plumber but can anybody provide a rational reason why I've been seeing these things that just seem to cause havoc. I've seen a few burst causing unneeded nightmares for homeowners, due to uninformed installation techniques etc and probably unskilled installers..seems we've been there before. I see them in 100K homes and 1M homes..what gives?

   But. What are the benefits of breakers on plumbing? It just seems to me the more connections may result in more potential water damage.

   Thanks

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 24, 2000 12:40am | #1

   *Ok. My ignorance is showing - What is a "Plumbing Breaker"?

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 24, 2000 03:43am | #2

   *There is a device that can be added to the main incoming water supply that can detect a burst pipe and shut off the main automatically. Is this what you mean?

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 24, 2000 07:46am | #3

   *No, either main or individual lines to bath, etc.Actually it connects to the hot and cold as well as the waste. If it senses a "water fault" it trips and stops the flow.We call them WFIs or "why fi"s.Quite problematic when folks insist on filling up pots, glasses, that sort of thing.Couldn't resist.Adam

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 24, 2000 12:33pm | #4

   *I think you're all wrong. A plumbing breaker detects the flow of electricity in water lines - like when somebody drops a hair dryer in the bathtub. It discopnnects the water just in case your GFCI isn't working.

2. 
   Guest_ | Jul 24, 2000 03:38pm | #5

   *A plumbing breaker is a purposely weak joint in a water system that's designed to burst first if there should be a frozen pipe somewhere in the house. It's installed near a floor drain and is considered a preferable alternative to a pipe bursting within a wall. Consider it like a shear pin.

3. 
   Guest_ | Jul 24, 2000 09:25pm | #6

   *Adam's response makes the best sense as the ones I have seen are similiar to an electrical breaker box. I haven't seen any drains nearby but most are located in garages. One was located in a MB closet that broke loose and damaged about 200 sf of HW flooring. Thanks for the input.

4. 
   Guest_ | Jul 25, 2000 01:33am | #7

   *can you water your lawn when you have one of these?

5. 
   Guest_ | Jul 25, 2000 04:21am | #8

   *Ken,I jus' made it up...I was hoping someone else might actually have an intelligent response (Barry Miller's sounded the best to me.)Sorry, Adam

6. 
   Guest_ | Jul 25, 2000 04:52am | #9

   *The only plumbing related "breaker" that I am familiar with are vacuum breaker backflow preventing devices. These are often required on dishwashers and underground sprinkler systems, but I assume that some gung ho code writers could require them elsewhere. (However, I also have a breaker on the electrical circuit to my well pump - which I guess could be referred to as a "plumbing" breaker...) A little more of a description might be helpful

7. 
   Roger_Martini | Jul 25, 2000 11:37am | #10

   *ooh, ooh, I have one...A plumbing breaker is the guy who has to call the plumber after realizing (too late) that he knows nothing about plumbing.In my case, I prefer the more formal title "One who breaks plumbing".

8. 
   Guest_ | Jul 25, 2000 12:36pm | #11

   *If you guys don't believe me, see page 21 of the September 2000 FHB - 'The Water Cop.'Jeff

9. 
   Guest_ | Jul 25, 2000 03:22pm | #12

   *Jeff, the mentioned device has a couple of pieces. One fits on the main, an electronic valve. Then there are several remote devices, strategically placed, like under the kitchen and bath sinks?, under the clothes washer?, near the hose bib on the hot water heater?. When these remote devices sense moisture on the floor, they signal the electronic valve to shut. Can't recall, but I believe an alarm also sounds. I'm not certain this is the device referred to in the original post. Looked like it was an easy retrofit device, but price was high (high is in the thickness of the beholder's wallet.) Around $370 for one valve and 3 sensors, if I remember correctly.Maybe that's not high, since I am "one who breaks plumbing".

10. 
    Guest_ | Jul 30, 2000 11:00pm | #14

    *I'll have to get a photo next time I see one but I'll look for the FHB Sept issue.