probably a stupid question

[stuartR1963]

I know this probably quite a stupid but here goes, lets say you have a spout mixer kitchen tap the cold water is on main as usual and the hot is gravity with a non return valve.

here comes the stupid bit, if you were to grip the tap with both hands very tightly (stopping the water coming out the tap) and turn on mains cold could you stop it? or would the mains pressure be powerful enough to blow the spout in air and flood the kitchen?.

I know its a very stupid question but a young apprentice asked. so what would happen?

ta

 

[DaveHerns]

You're not going to blow the tap up but you may get very wet trying

 

[muggles]

Whether you'd stop it would depend on the pressure. Unlikely to blow the spout off but it might bust the o-rings in it

 

[simond]

On most mains pressure rates in the UK you will find you can't hold your finger over the end, irrespective of the hot water arrangements.

 

[stuartR1963]

I see, so the mains will just force your hand out its way and soak you. unlike gravity where you can hold your hand on the tap all day long and stop the water with little effort. cheers

 

[vulcancontinental]

Used to do just that if I came across an air-locked hot somewhere. Cap vent pipe, open blocked tap, open hot at sink, gently open cold cupping hand over spout. Yes, you an get wet but it usually shifted the air quickly.