Anybody in North Raleigh notice a recent drop in water pressure? (house, water heater)

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

The past few days there has been a noticable drop in water pressure at our house. It get really bad when more than one outlet is running faucet + shower etc....

I made sure everthing was off this morning and checked the meeter out front. It didn't indicate any flow to the house. Then I turned on a garden hose and could see the red flow indicator start to spin. So I don't supsect a leak between the meter and house or inside the house. No consturction / digging happening anywhere in my neighborhood....Water heater is only 5 years old....and I believe the pressure is low for both hot and cold. I know where our main shutoff and PRV valve are inside. I never mess with it and the space is clear and nothing has come in contact with it. What other things should I investigate before paying for a plumber? Just want to make sure I am not overlooking something obvious before spending $$$.

Thanks!

[MikeJaquish]

Buy me a beer when you come to pick it up, and I will let you borrow mine....

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Watts-Water...lve/1001063062

Maybe the City is flushing hydrants nearby?

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Thanks!

Now I just need to figure out how to get an accurate pressure reading given that my 20 year old hose bibs have old leaky backflow preventors installed. LOL

The joys of home ownership!

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by North_Raleigh_Guy

Thanks!

Now I just need to figure out how to get an accurate pressure reading given that my 20 year old hose bibs have old leaky backflow preventors installed. LOL

The joys of home ownership!

I don't think the backflow preventers will be an issue.
Put the gauge on and crank the bibb wide open. The backflow preventers will not affect accurate pressure readings.

Are they added onto the hose bibb on the outside and leaking where they attach to the bibb?
If so, you can just screw them off and install the gauge.

[udelslayer]

Do you have a water pressure regulator to step down the 150-300psi from the street?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Watts-3-4-i...lve/1001331056

They have a diaphragm much like a gas meter that can go bad. It will cause weird pressure drops and inconsistencies. They're not terribly expensive or hard to replace.

Get a gauge from just about anywhere
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Watts-Water...lve/1001063062

Aim for 55psi or so. I'd keep it it below 75psi to preserve your plumbing.