AboutCarolyn Expertise I have worked in Electrical Engineering for 27 years in power distribution, but I am a handy homeowner more than anything else and have a lot of skills when it comes to home repairs. Bathroom remodeling, flooring, painting, reconditioning old wood items, plumbing, car repairs and troubleshooting most problems. I think of myself more of a teacher than someone that is going to tell you exactly what you have to do, but I will share as much info as I have to help get your problem fixed, so if you are not interested in learning then don't ask me a question or rate me if you don't like my answers. To me, it is all about the journey so lets share the trail for a short ride and see where it takes us!
I also want to give thanks to both my Mom, who has passed and my Dad, who raised us with the "Can Do" attitude and instowed such confidence in not only my life but everyone that ever came in contact with them.
You can do anything that you set our minds too if only you can break it down into pieces and just tackle one piece at a time, for the rest will fall into place.
Experience My greatest accomplishment was finishing my first bathroom upgrades in my first home which helped me to sell my home is less than 3 days by myself with a For Sale By Owner sign and no more. Plus I got $10,000 more for it in just 4 years of owning it, now that is great equity.
Question QUESTION: In the last year, I had noticed the water pressure (Showering, Sinks) become low to a point now it is really unacceptable. Showering is not enjoyable anymore. It feels like I have a slow water hose. I flushed the water heater, called the county, had someone come out and said 46 PSI was OK.
Is that right?
ANSWER: Hey Hector,
When was the last time you checked you faucet screens and showerhead for debri is my first question. Stuff like sediment and sand can clog the screens and hard water can also block up your shower head. Try this, with a washcloth and a wrench, remove your shower head and run some water out the shower and see just how strong the water comes out. If it is stronger then with the shower head on, you need to just replace the head or clean it and you should be find. And in the faucets, unscrew the head of the faucets and you will see a screen that may just need rinsing out. I will share a site or two with you that will show you more details but I hope this is all it is. Yes, 45 psi is OK, but my next question is do you have a pressure regulator on your line somewhere near your hot water heater? If so, you can raise it up a tad more but be careful, in doing so you can run the risk of damaging any valves or seals in your dishwasher or washing maching if you get it too high.
I hope something here does the job and good luck!
~Carolyn~
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QUESTION: All faucets were replaced, the water heater flushed, I was using those small (military heads?) shower heads for many years, changing and cleaning them, to get extra pressure. When that was working, I paid $20 for one that adds "some" pressure. It does, but even that is unacceptable. The key difference now is that any faucet turned on will drastically lower the pressure at the shower. This is in a HOA condo area. Water including among the fees. I am leasing. The owner is in another state. Doesn't have a clue. When I called the county, a person came out and mention the HOA had changed the pipe size to 2 inches presumingly to save money He checked the inlet to the two condo townhouse (I'm in 2nd floor), mumbled a bit, then said 46 psi is acceptable. I wasn't aware of what the limits were (numbers wise). I am reading 50-80 psi on the web.
The thing is, showering is terrible. I'm sure the 2nd floor loses some pressure, and when pressure is that low, it gets worst up the pipe links. I need to make a decision to end my lease and find another apartment where the water pressure is acceptable to live with. Its really is that bad.
I guess what i need to know is there anything I can do here. Doesn't sound like it.
Thanks
Answer Hey Hector,
Sorry I didn't think of this before but I was thinking it was clogged. You got me thinking, I can't fix the pressure in the faucets but I can fix the shower! If you don't want to move because of the shower and are willing to replace your shower head then buy one of these and you may get your landlord to take it off of your rent or take it with you when you leave, these are designed for low water pressure in mind and they work:
