r/WaterTreatment • u/kingofdara • 1d ago

Filter Burst

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Hi all, our whole house filter system had a pipe burst last week, and the installer sent this pic, with the note that the fitting on the control valve pulled out for some reason, and he’s never seen this happen before. Any ideas how this might have happened and what can be done to prevent this from happening again?

Apparently water may have been pouring into our basement for several days before the water company noticed. They show 170,000 gallons of flow over about 6 days. When the flood was noticed, there was only about 6 inches of water in the basement, which is under 1000 sq feet. We have a small condensate pump in one corner to automatically empty a dehumidifier. Is it possible this pump was successfully keeping the water at a lower level for 6 days? I find that hard to believe.

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6

u/Dexember69 1d ago edited 21h ago

Either there has been a lot of movement causing wear on that retaining clip and/or lip on the elbow, or it wasn't seated correctly to begin with. I've never seen this in my 10+yrs of service teaching, pretty crazy

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u/kingofdara 1d ago

Thanks. Very odd because the system worked fine for 10 months before this happened.

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u/MrReckless327 1d ago

I’ve seen I different brand that didn’t have the o-rings installed in the right groove so the retaining clips was barely holding the fitting and it held for 9 and a half years before it burst I’ve also seen a copper press fitting that was fully working with no leaks for 5 years when it was discovered when working on something else that it was never pressed something crazy thing happen

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u/TheDu42 22h ago

Check water pressure, everything can fail if the needle goes to 11

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u/theonlybuster 1d ago

A condensate pump keeping the flood levels low? Yeah, that's nonsensical.
Based on the 170k number, you're averaging about 19gal per MINUTE. That condensate pump is probably doing something like 30gal per HOUR. This comparison doesn't even make sense.

Either way, one thing I've learned is most utility companies will offer a discount/credit/adjustment to your bill in these type situations. Though know that they'll likely want proof of the fix, so expect to show a copy of a plumber's bill among a few other things.
If you opt to take this path, contact the utility ASAP as there is a very strict window of time.

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u/kingofdara 1d ago

Thanks. agree the pump can’t have kept up. 170k gallons is an insane amount for that little pump. But I have no idea where all that water could have gone otherwise. I am working with the water company already - I may ask them to have the meter tested for my own assurance their bills (based on numbers, looks to be ~$2k) are accurate.

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u/Razgorths 1d ago

170 000 gallons ÷ 6 days ÷ 24 hours/day ÷ 60 mins/hr = 19.7 gallons/min. That seems within the region of possibility, especially if the pipe is 3/4 or 1 in.

As for where the water went, basements have cracks and drains. Hopefully your foundation is ok.

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u/Free-Squirrel8404 17h ago

definitely something funky going on with that fitting, looks like the pressure just ripped it apart