Water Pressure Decrease (Raleigh, Durham: house, live, stores)

[StanFischlerHockE]

Has anyone noticed a slight decrease in water pressure? We are on Durham city water system I suppose. Eastern Durham location near wake border. I will call Water company but wanted to know if anyone else is experiencing this.

[librarySue]

I'm going to resurrect this thread because the water pressure in my house (in Raleigh) is so poor. I know there was a thread recently about water temp being warm this summer but I don't know if this is related or not.

Our thoughts:

Water in reservoir is low due to drought.

Water pressure valve to the house is set too low or is somehow faulty.

I found another thread that discussed the valve issue and made some suggestions for checking the pressure or tightening/loosening the valve, but I'm not tackling that myself.

Who would you call? the city? or a plumber??? Or.......???

[underPSI]

^I assume since you stated Raleigh that you are on the municipal water supply and not on a well. I understand you're nervous about attempting the job but if you know the old adage of "lefty-loosey, righty-tighty" you really won't have any trouble with the job.
Adjusting the pressure regulator really is easy. All it takes is a simple adjustable wrench if that's all you have and a screwdriver.

Water pressure reducing valve, water pressure regulator controls: how to find, repair, and adjust municipal water pressure

[hamtundra]

Our water pressure in North Raleigh hasn't decreased, but we've noticed a considerable amount of air in the line since Friday. Addtionally, our water had been quite cloudy for the past week or two.

I contacted the water company (Aqua) this morning, but have yet to hear back regarding the issue.

[frankpc]

Or possibly the low flow faucets in your home give the impression of low pressure? Sometimes the new ones clog over time and flow very little water. Does removing the aerator help?
To check your pressure - You can get an inexpensive gauge that threads on your outdoor spigot that will read water pressure .. The big box stores have them in the irrigation section. Like this one:

http://m.lowes.com/mt/www.lowes.com/pd_122812-74985-91130_4294935944_4294937087_?productId=1126113&Ns= p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity_so ld|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Sprinklers_4294935944_4 294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_p roduct_quantity_sold|1&un_jtt_v_tabs=reviews

Frank

[jgbishop]

I am located on the eastern border of Durham county (near the Brier Creek area), and I've noticed a decrease in water pressure over the past few days. I'm pretty certain it's not the faucets; I removed the aerator on my kitchen faucet and it still seemed low. My house does not have a pressure regulator, and I've noticed lower flow into some of my toilets. All of this has happened since about a week ago. I see no signs of a possible leak on my water meter's leak indicator.

Has anyone else in the Durham area had similar problems?

[TheBigKahunaNC]

Check your meter for leaks. If the little black triangle is spinning, you probably have a leak, which will drop the pressure.

Also, Falls Lake is not low do to drought. They've been dumping water out of the dam nonstop. The Neuse River is really high, and has been for some while. I don't know WHY they are draining the lake so fast, but they are. I live close to the Lake and see it very day. I know the tendencies and see the levels go up and down. I know how the lake levels rise after a good rain. We had 3 really good rains back to back a few weeks ago and the lake levels did not rise at all. They have been aggressively draining the lake at the dam. Don't blame the drought......

[jgbishop]

I called Durham one-call this morning, and the lady there told me that the Durham water folks know about the problem in my area. Apparently there's an issue somewhere up the line, and they are working to have it fixed.

[ntchanga]

Sorry to resurrect this, but I've been having similar problems (northern Durham) for several months. Our neighbors, too. We called the city and had them come out. The workers left a note in our door and told us our psi was 45 at the meter and said we should call a plumber. When we called the city back to find out what the pressure was at the street, they said that it was "okay" but they couldn't tell us what that number was! We said that our neighbors were having similar problems and they said, "It's not our problem. Call a plumber."

I'm thinking of going in to the city to talk with somebody about this, but am wondering if others have different advice or experience with this. It just seems strange that they won't give us a specific meter reading at the street. (Others down the street had the city come out. They were told they had a 63 psi at the street. The city told them that 60-100 was in acceptable range.)

I'm wondering if Stantheman78 and others in Durham had their water issues resolved.

[frankpc]

Originally Posted by ntchanga

Sorry to resurrect this, but I've been having similar problems (northern Durham) for several months. Our neighbors, too. We called the city and had them come out. The workers left a note in our door and told us our psi was 45 at the meter and said we should call a plumber. When we called the city back to find out what the pressure was at the street, they said that it was "okay" but they couldn't tell us what that number was! We said that our neighbors were having similar problems and they said, "It's not our problem. Call a plumber."

I'm thinking of going in to the city to talk with somebody about this, but am wondering if others have different advice or experience with this. It just seems strange that they won't give us a specific meter reading at the street. (Others down the street had the city come out. They were told they had a 63 psi at the street. The city told them that 60-100 was in acceptable range.)

I'm wondering if Stantheman78 and others in Durham had their water issues resolved.

I'm a bit confused - you do have 45 psi at the meter? The city side of the meter? Even assuming that is a bit low ... what do you have at your house? The cheap gauge linked above will tell you for very little money.

FWIW - last time I checked the "normal" range was something like 45-80 psi. So the city may just check to ensure they exceed 45psi.

Frank