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tjd · Jan 20, 2007, 07:32 PM

The pressure coming into my house is 40psi,but when I flush the toilet the pressure drops to 15psi. The private water company is telling me the service line is probably clogged with manganese. They also tell me this is my responsibility since I own the service line. The manganese comes from the water company's well(community) how can I remove the manganese without replacing the line(approx.150ft)

letmetellu · Jan 20, 2007, 10:23 PM

Do you know what type of pipe you water line is made of??

tjd · Jan 21, 2007, 08:30 AM

It was put in around 1973 so I am assuming it is copper

speedball1 · Jan 22, 2007, 05:39 AM

Originally Posted by tjd

it was put in around 1973 so i am assuming it is copper

The one thing about plumbing is that you can't "assume" anything. Copper's a expensive way to run a water service. Check at the meter to make sure.
You have a volume problem that's associated with mineral build up in a galvanized service line. This will not effect pressure until you ask it to provide more water then the pipe can carry. That's when your pressure drops. Your problem is caused by not enough water to furnish pressure to more then one fixture. The first place I would check is the water service itself. Good luck, Tom

tjd · Jan 22, 2007, 05:17 PM

I'm sure it is copper,that is what is coming through my foundation wall. There is no meter.we pay a flat fee for the water(quarterly) I am also sure the problem is due to buildup in the service line. All the people in the development that have had pressure problems was a result of manganese buildup in the line. I am asking if there is a way to remove the manganese from the line. Maybe by using a compressor and blowing high pessure of air back to the main and blowing the deposit with it. Or installing some kind of chemical into the service line from inside my house and let it go back to the main if I can have the main valve shut down at the curb and let the chemiccal soak in the service line.

speedball1 · Jan 24, 2007, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by tjd

i'm sure it is copper,that is what is coming thru my foundation wall. there is no meter.we pay a flat fee for the water(quarterly) i am also sure the problem is due to buildup in the service line. all the people in the developement that have had pressure problems was a result of manganese buildup in the line. i am asking if there is a way to remove the manganese from the line. maybe by using a compressor and blowing high pessure of air back to the main and blowing the deposit with it. or installing some kind of chemical into the service line from inside my house and let it go back to the main if i can have the main valve shut down at the curb and let the chemiccal soak in the service line.

If you blow the manganese back into the main it will be drawn back into the first system that makes a draw. I know of no chemical that you can interject into the service line to clear it. I would replace the service line with PVC and consider installing a filter on the line when it enters your house.
Good luck, Tom

tjd · Jan 28, 2007, 08:18 AM

The line is 150' long(very expensive) the filter would only help the inside of the house. The problem is on the service line coming from the main. However, pvc is a good idea.thanks

speedball1 · Jan 28, 2007, 09:42 AM

"i'm sure it is copper,that is what is coming thru my foundation wall."

You're assuming again and you can't do that in plumbing. You may have copper stubed out the foundation wall but I'm concerned with what's connected to that copper stub out. Go out to the meter and tell me what kind of pipe's connected on your side. Regards, Tom

tjd · Jan 28, 2007, 10:24 AM

I have no meter. We are billed flat rate,per quarter. If the line is clogged with manganese which I'm sure it is based on other houses in the developemwnt that has had their line replaced what difference does it make what is made of. The line is clogged and I want to know how I can unclog it without replacing it

speedball1 · Jan 28, 2007, 11:27 AM

There has to be a shut off where the utilities connect to the house service. In order to flush out the service line both ends will have to be clear while a power snake is run the length of the service line. Afterward flush it out under pressure. The only other way would be to replace the line with PVC. Regards, Tom

tjd · Jan 28, 2007, 06:05 PM

Yes you are right,the connection between the shut off valve at the street is where the line can be disconnected and then the line can be flushed out and let all the sediment go into the ground rather than the main.thanks

mcjean · Jan 1, 2011, 05:59 PM

Hello - my question is to tjd. Did you ever solve your problem. We're having the same one and we don't want to replace the line. LOT OF WORK!

afaroo · Jan 2, 2011, 01:36 AM

Helo Mcjean,

This is a 3 years old post open your own post and some one will respond to your question, Thanks.

John