Low water pressure

[Unregistered-kayak810]

The water pressure is very low in both of the tubs in my bathrooms. If either of the tub faucets are running, the pressure is low throughout the entire house. If either of the tub faucets are off, the pressure is fine. The water pressure on the main line is fine and there are no leaks anywhere. What do you think is causing this? A blockage maybe? Thanks

Dave

[homebild]

Your problem could be related to many things:

-base water pressure from the street
-height of the bathrooms above grade
-whether or not any type of backflow preventers including pressure reducing valves and shower/tub mixing valves exist on the water distribution system
-the size of your water distribution pipes
-the developed length of the water districution pipes

Most commonly, you will find that the size of your water distribution pipes are too small….1/2″ when 3/4″ or larger pipes are required.

Can you give us some more info like:

-street pressure into the house
-where the baths are located in the house
-pipe size of the mains, risers and branch pipes
-presence of backflow preventers, pressure reducing valves, mixing valves and where located
-distance in feet from where the water enters your house to the furthest fixture measured in feet along the pipes
–

[Unregistered-Kayak810]

I’m not sure what the street pressure is. There is no gauge installed.
The main water line runs into the end of the house where both bathrooms are located.
I don’t know what the pipe size is for the main.
The branch pipes are 1/2.
I’m not sure what a riser is. I’m not up on my plumbing.
The main line run is about 50 feet from the street to the house.
We have lived in the house about 4.5 years and have never had any plumbing problems. This problem just started 2 days ago. Thanks

Dave

[Billhart]

You did not answer any of homebild’s questions.

And I am going to ask a couple of others.

What is the age of the house? What material is the pipe from the street?

You are not observing pressure, but rather flow.

You need a pressure guage to meausre the pressure.

Have you checked with the water company to see what the pressures are in your area?

One common cause for these problems is old galvanized pipes that have mineral deposites over the years.

Maybe in your supply line from the street or in the pipes in your house.

But theree can be other reasons such as debree blocking a valve or low water company pressure.

[Author]

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