HELP! Low Water Pressure in Home (Wake Forest: credit, houses, crawl space) - Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary - North Carolina (NC) -The Triangle Area - City-Data Forum

fidorelo07 · 11-25-2008, 08:30 AM

Our house (Wake Forest) seems to have very low pressure from all facuets/hose bibs/shower heads? I have been to several neighbors' houses where I have noticed normal pressure from the fixtures. Not a huge deal, bit
annoying at times, but wondering nonetheless.

Is there a way to increase the pressure (e.g. a valve?) or should I contact the city? If anyone has thoughts on the matter, would love to hear them.

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving.

chuckreis · 11-25-2008, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fidorelo07

Our house (Wake Forest) seems to have very low pressure from all facuets/hose bibs/shower heads? I have been to several neighbors' houses where I have noticed normal pressure from the fixtures. Not a huge deal, bit
annoying at times, but wondering nonetheless.

Is there a way to increase the pressure (e.g. a valve?) or should I contact the city? If anyone has thoughts on the matter, would love to hear them.

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving.

It could be a lot of things. A valve that is not fully open or clogged to a leak somewhere. If you have a water softener or filter it could be a problem with that. If you are on a well it could be a pump, but from your message it seems you are on city water. You might want to get a plumber to check things out.

Showers and faucets you can put low flow devices on to make things "feel" better.

fidorelo07 · 11-25-2008, 09:09 AM

Yes, allow me to post some clarifying points. I am on city water, no leaks anywhere in the house, no filtration systems, no low flow devices.

I am more intersted in learning if there is a valve, where would it be located? In the basement or at the curb? This seems like the place to look first before calling a plumber.

NewUser · 11-25-2008, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckreis

If you have a water softener or filter it could be a problem with that.

Yes. That was our problem. When we had our house inspected prior to purchase, the pressure was so low that you could not turn on the shower with one or two other faucets running. We had the sellers call a plumber, and he discovered that they had not changed their whole-house filter in over a year. They swapped it out and problem was solved. We change it once every 6-8 months now that we live here.

EDIT: Oh well. We posted at the same time. Not a filter I guess.

livnthedream · 11-25-2008, 09:27 AM

If it is a newer home, each faucet has its own screen that can get filled with debris. Try unscrewing the end of each faucet and cleaning the screen filter. The pressure reducing valve is usually located wherever the water enters the house (crawl space or basement).

adlnc07 · 11-25-2008, 09:45 AM

I have the same issue in my house - I assume it's the pressure reducing valve that was replaced right before I bought the house. I think it's probably set too low. I know it's in the crawlspace (from the home inspection phtotos), but I haven't gone looking for it. You can Google "pressure reducing valve" and get some info on what it looks like, and how you might adjust it.

beckycat · 11-25-2008, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewUser

Yes. That was our problem. When we had our house inspected prior to purchase, the pressure was so low that you could not turn on the shower with one or two other faucets running. We had the sellers call a plumber, and he discovered that they had not changed their whole-house filter in over a year. They swapped it out and problem was solved. We change it once every 6-8 months now that we live here.

EDIT: Oh well. We posted at the same time. Not a filter I guess.

Where would the filter be located?

todd owens · 03-10-2009, 07:22 PM

My company specializes in fixing this problem. As some of the other posts indicate...the first place to look is the pressure reducing valve usually in your crawlspace. If your utility is supplying enough pressure..then clean the valve and reset it at a higher pressure. If this doesnt work...we specialize in constant pressure home booster systems that allow you to increase the incoming pressure to whatever setpoint you want. The benefit to these systems is you can be in your shower...run your dishwasher...flush the toilet....and wash your car...without any pressure drop. The key is constant pressure. In other words 60-70 psi at all times.

Beermat · 03-10-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by todd owens

My company specializes in fixing this problem. As some of the other posts indicate...the first place to look is the pressure reducing valve usually in your crawlspace. If your utility is supplying enough pressure..then clean the valve and reset it at a higher pressure. If this doesnt work...we specialize in constant pressure home booster systems that allow you to increase the incoming pressure to whatever setpoint you want. The benefit to these systems is you can be in your shower...run your dishwasher...flush the toilet....and wash your car...without any pressure drop. The key is constant pressure. In other words 60-70 psi at all times.

Perhaps the Government will buy all your valves to improve the credit flow

CHTransplant · 03-11-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fidorelo07

I am more intersted in learning if there is a valve, where would it be located? In the basement or at the curb? This seems like the place to look first before calling a plumber.

There are likely two. One at the street by the water meter, and another main shutoff valve in the house. In the houses I've lived in here they have always been in a first floor closet for access, but I suppose it could be anywhere.