Weird Plumbing Issue (washer, tank, bathroom, shower)

[carolac]

We noticed the other day when we flushed the toilet in our guest bathroom, the water would run very slowly into the tank on the back of the toilet. Hubby said no problem--he'll just replace the pump. He planned to do that this Saturday.

Then we noticed as the water was running slowly into the tank, if you turn on the cold water in the shower, the water begins to run at a normal pace. We have tested it over and over and over, and it does it every single time.

Any idea what might make that occur? We've gotten a big laugh out of it, but wondered what might be causing it.

Thanks.

[Barking Spider]

Old house? Galvanized pipes?

[Ghengis]

Originally Posted by carolac

We noticed the other day when we flushed the toilet in our guest bathroom, the water would run very slowly into the tank on the back of the toilet. Hubby said no problem--he'll just replace the pump. He planned to do that this Saturday.

Then we noticed as the water was running slowly into the tank, if you turn on the cold water in the shower, the water begins to run at a normal pace. We have tested it over and over and over, and it does it every single time.

Any idea what might make that occur? We've gotten a big laugh out of it, but wondered what might be causing it.

Thanks.

Is your shower also in the guest bathroom?

[carolac]

Yes, it is an older house, and the shower is in the guest bath. The house was built in 1959. Some of the plumbing was redone before we bought it in 1996, but not that area. Hubby says we have copper and neoprene pipes.

[Ghengis]

I assume you are on a well as you mentioned a pump, is the bathroom on the second floor?

[carolac]

We have a septic tank, but not a well. We are on the city water. Our house is one story. The pump I was referring to is the device in the tank of the toilet that the water runs through--a flow pump perhaps?--not sure I am calling it by it's proper name.

Thanks.

[banevader]

Sounds like you have scale in the pipes.
Does your washer also have problems filling?

[carolac]

No, no problem with the washer filling. Water pressure everywhere is good.

Thanks for your response.

[Ghengis]

Originally Posted by carolac

We have a septic tank, but not a well. We are on the city water. Our house is one story. The pump I was referring to is the device in the tank of the toilet that the water runs through--a flow pump perhaps?--not sure I am calling it by it's proper name.

Thanks.

10-4, that blows that theory...

If this started all of a sudden, I'd replace your re-fill valve in your tank.

Can't say what the result of running your shower other than you may be moving more water past the toilet supply. Copper and plastic pipe typically doesn't build up corrosion on the inside like steel pipe and restrict flow but it sounds as if you don't have new plumbing at this location.

[Pruzhany]

The shower is changing the pressure in the line. Change the pipe to flex tubing from the wall to the tank.