1985
Around 1985 Municipalities (water companies) started installing water meters with back flow preventers in new homes. This was done to prevent contamination of the Municipal water supply. Doing this created a closed system for each home with this type of meter. Prior to this the excess pressure would not build in your home, the excess pressure would go into the entire Municipal system. Now it can't get past the water meter. So now it builds in your home. Then the water is turned on and the pressure is relieved. Water off pressure builds again. Plumbing systems are built to withstand this. So what's the big deal? The problem is not with the pipes in the system, but with the weak points, the hoses and plastic tubing. ie. washing machine, ice maker supply line, toilet supply. Constant expansion and contraction will weaken them until they burst. This is why I believe in expansion tanks.
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