Strange thing on outdoor water meter

[FredD123]

Hey guys,
Recently moved to a very old place in France with terrible water pressure. A plumber (sort of) came round and had a look at our outdoor Water meter. The stopcock part definitely open, but after the meter there is this strange tap with a side return. Every time we turn in too much, loads of water comes out the return. We think if we blocked it or added something to it, then turned the tap more fully we'd achieve more pressure. Are we right? Could anyone tell us what it is?
Thanks so much.

Fred

 

[jj4091]

It looks like it is a valve for draining down your water pipes once the stopcock is turned off. It shouldn't really obstruct the flow though. It looks like you might be able to remove the tap head and fit a blanking plug, though I have no idea what size it will be

 

[fixitflav]

Recently moved to a very old place in France with terrible water pressure.

Is the pressure typical for the area? If so, it's unlikely your pipework is to blame.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Pressure is not the same as flow.

 

[fixitflav]

Pressure is not the same as flow.

But you can't have one without the other! I suppose he means flow is poor, it's no comfort having high pressure at low or no flow.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

But you can't have one without the other!

You cannot have flow, without pressure - but you can have pressure without flow.

 

[fixitflav]

You cannot have flow, without pressure - but you can have pressure without flow.

Yes, of course, I was being a bit flippant, but I think we know what his problem is.

 

[FredD123]

Is the pressure typical for the area? If so, it's unlikely your pipework is to blame.

No everyone else has good pressure

 

[FredD123]

Hi guys thanks again for your help. I've realised perhaps my photo wasn't helpful without the rest of the meter. I've attached two photos now - one where I show the whole meter with markings for where this strange tap is, just after the meter itself and stop tap ... and the other a side view of the strange tap - which appears to show it is a part with a tap underneath as well which I can't turn...

Does this help work it out for anyone? It is weird because if it is a valve for draining down water pipes why is it in that place?

Thanks again

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

No everyone else has good pressure

Note the difference - do you have good pressure, but little actual flow? Turn the tap so it is only just on, then apply your thumb to block the outlet. If your thumb gets pushed off, you have good pressure.

Good pressure, when a tap is slightly turned on, but little flow when turned full on, suggests a restriction in the pipe, or a partially closed valve.

 

[FredD123]

Note the difference - do you have good pressure, but little actual flow? Turn the tap so it is only just on, then apply your thumb to block the outlet. If your thumb gets pushed off, you have good pressure.

Good pressure, when a tap is slightly turned on, but little flow when turned full on, suggests a restriction in the pipe, or a partially closed valve.

Thanks Harry - so I've tried that and my thumb struggles to stay down, so we have good pressure but little flow when turned fully on. The trouble is we can't turn it fully on without somehow closing that outlet (because of the high pressure water spurting out of it) - but can't seem to find anything to cover it

 

[Madrab]

I think what's confusing things here is the term 'side return', are you about that small outlet on the side of the body of the valve?


then logically it does suggest that it is, as suggested, a drain down point for everything downstream, given the design that the valve body is raised up off the main part of the fitting suggest it isn't wouldn't interact with the mains flow when manipulated.

Presumably that setup will allow the system to be
Valve 1 > isolate from the mains
Valve 2 > drain down

That will then allow the meter to be serviced properly.

If you have that valve open, suggest you have a hose on it to stop that chamber filling up, then the mains valve is shut down the mains tap, does the flow/pressure from that outlet noticeably change?

As far as the pressure/flow in the property is concerned then you'd need to take 2 sets of readings using a pressure gauge and a timed bucket fill to see what you have compared to @ the meter. If it's an old property, chances are the internal pipework is pretty restrictive. Is there an internal mains stop tap?

 

[jj4091]

How long is the run from the meter to the house and what size pipe is after the meter ? Maybe it's time for a local plumber or telling your supplier you have a problem, in the UK they are obliged to provide a certain flow rate but only up to the meter. You might get advice from them though.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Thanks Harry - so I've tried that and my thumb struggles to stay down, so we have good pressure but little flow when turned fully on.

You have a restriction then, to the flow..

 

[FredD123]

Hi guys - we got a local plumber finally and the problem was not there but a faulty pressure monitor thing further up the line into the house. Thanks very much for your help on this!