Water Pressure/Flow Problem

SirDrums · Apr 25, 2012

First of all, Hello.

I live in a townhome and I am experiencing problems wuth our water pressure/flow.

If we are only using one source in the home (shower/toilet/sink etc) the pressure/flow is fine but the second we turn on another fixture in the home the pressure/flow drops dramatically.

It has come to the point where if someone is in the shower, everything else in the house that is using water gets shut off.

Also sometimes while in the shower (nothing else is on) the pressure/flow will drop suddenly and then slowly come back up. I thought this was a PRV problem but I have cut out the PRV all together just to see if it was the problem and nothing changed.

I have used one of those gauges you put on a hose faucet and with everything turned off its at about 40 psi which is good I guess but when I turn aomething else on it drops to about 20 psi.

I am wondering if there is something with the water meter. I replaced the supply line about a year ago and the water was turned off and on several times. I wonder if there could be something wrong with the meter? I don't know how to check though.

Is tehre anything else you guys think I need to check to try and resolve this issue? Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks!

Mr_David · Apr 26, 2012

Could be one of several things.
Could have a main water service valve that is not open 100%
Gate valves are often hard to tell if they are fully open by looking at them.
I could also be a bad pressure regulator that is causing the problem.
Has this always been an issue? 40 psi is okay. that's where I would start.
If you have a valve at water meter check to make sure that is also open fully

SirDrums · Apr 26, 2012

The only valve near the meter is the valve before the meter that is used by the city to turn off and on the supply.

I went out yesterday to make sure this valve was open all the way and it looked like it was but then I tried to turn the valve to make sure and it would not budge in either direction.

I do remember that when the line was being replaced, the valve leaked because water constantly dripped out of the meter.

Could I call the city and have them check it or would I be better off calling a plumber to look at it?

phishfood · Apr 26, 2012

I would start with the city.

Caduceus · Apr 26, 2012

Another cause for what you are describing is a potential kink in the water service. The problem could get progressively worse if the service was not back-filled properly. Has this problem always existed since the new service was installed or is it new?

SirDrums · Apr 27, 2012

Well I called the city and they came out and inspected the meter today.

They said they are supplying 60 psi to the meter and the valve is fully opened.

I dont remember if the problem existed before the line was replaced bc I was single and only used one source at a time but my gut tells me it was better than this.

The original supply line was 3/4" polybutylene. It was replaced by 3/4" cpvc. I am wondering if the ID of the PB is larger than the CPVC.. would that make a difference? Maybe it should have been replaced with regular PVC??? I dunno.

phishfood · Apr 27, 2012

3/4" CPVC should flow plenty of water to supply multiple fixtures at once. One thing I have seen happen with CPVC that could cause your problem is a fitting get covered with glue.