We have very low water pressure. We can't water, do a load of wash, take a shower, use the sink or flush a toilet when we are using any other water source.
Please help!
COMMUNITY FORUM
There are so many reasons you can have low water pressure.
You could have galvanized piping that has filled up with calcium and mineral deposits, reducing the inside diameter of the pipe to so small you can barely get any flow.
You could have a valve that is only partially open, blocking the flow.
You could have a well system that has failed because of: Pressure Tank, Pump, Solenoid Valve, Piping, or a host of other issues.
You could have a colapsed water main coming in from the street.
You could have a failed pressure reducing valve at the street meter.
You could have a failed main double check valve.
1. Find out if your pipes are galvanized by using a magnet on the outside of the hot water line. You can tell its hot by the temperature.
2. Call the city and see what the locally available pressure is.
3. Check with your neighbor to see if they are having any problems.
4. Know the age of your home. (Homes built before 1960 were galvanized.
5. Remove and check all of the aerators on all faucets in the home and shower heads and check for blockages from dirt and debris.
6. Check your main valves at the meter to make sure they are fully open. (If you are on city).
7. Run your outside sill **** (hose bib) to see what the water flow is. You can time the flow, running it into a 5 gallon bucket. Most homes should fill a five gallon bucket in 1 - 3 seconds. If it doesn't, then you have one of the above problems.
Remember there is a big difference between flow pressure and static pressure. You can have a static pressure of 85 psi, but if you only have a 1/16" pipe (because diameter has been reduced by calcium) then you won't be able to fill that bucket very fast.
Raymond VinZant Plumbing Prof.
You could have galvanized piping that has filled up with calcium and mineral deposits, reducing the inside diameter of the pipe to so small you can barely get any flow.
You could have a valve that is only partially open, blocking the flow.
You could have a well system that has failed because of: Pressure Tank, Pump, Solenoid Valve, Piping, or a host of other issues.
You could have a colapsed water main coming in from the street.
You could have a failed pressure reducing valve at the street meter.
You could have a failed main double check valve.
1. Find out if your pipes are galvanized by using a magnet on the outside of the hot water line. You can tell its hot by the temperature.
2. Call the city and see what the locally available pressure is.
3. Check with your neighbor to see if they are having any problems.
4. Know the age of your home. (Homes built before 1960 were galvanized.
5. Remove and check all of the aerators on all faucets in the home and shower heads and check for blockages from dirt and debris.
6. Check your main valves at the meter to make sure they are fully open. (If you are on city).
7. Run your outside sill **** (hose bib) to see what the water flow is. You can time the flow, running it into a 5 gallon bucket. Most homes should fill a five gallon bucket in 1 - 3 seconds. If it doesn't, then you have one of the above problems.
Remember there is a big difference between flow pressure and static pressure. You can have a static pressure of 85 psi, but if you only have a 1/16" pipe (because diameter has been reduced by calcium) then you won't be able to fill that bucket very fast.
Raymond VinZant Plumbing Prof.
