View Full Version : Why is water flow stopping out of no where?
ddhiggi
Apr 24, 2009, 04:57 AM
I recently put in all new water pvc pipes. Everything is capped off except for the toilet, vanity, and now the tub. The hot water heater is totally disconnected also. When I run the water in the vanity it runs fine for a few seconds then shuts off like I turned it off. If
A wait a few seconds it will run again for a shorter time. I connected the tub lines and it
Just trickles out of there. Could it be because of the hot water heater being disconnected?
Or maybe something stuck in the pipes? According to the layout the mainline comes into the house then it branches off to the vanity , the toilet, the tub, then the hot water heater connections.
hkstroud
Apr 24, 2009, 05:46 AM
Check main shut off valve. Probably forgot to open it.
ddhiggi
Apr 24, 2009, 06:05 AM
No I didn't forget the main valve is on.
Milo Dolezal
Apr 24, 2009, 06:06 AM
Looks like you have glue residue clogging your faucets. Clean your aerators and also, you may have to clean each cartridge at each faucets. You may also look at each angle stop...
It is a good practice to flush new pipes to avoid clogging your faucets.
ddhiggi
Apr 24, 2009, 06:09 AM
When I put a bucket under the outlet that goes to the hot water tank (or will anyway) the water comes out fine. So it must be somewhere between the main valve and there.
Thank you, I'll check the pipes.
I am confused about something though if someone could clear this up for me. The water flows fine for about 45 seconds so if it's a clog why does it flow at all? And the hot water heater pipes are beyond this point and it flows fine?
Milo Dolezal
Apr 24, 2009, 06:37 AM
This happens when you have dirt (soil) in the pipe.
Did you replace entire main line starting from the meter, too ?
ddhiggi
Apr 28, 2009, 05:30 PM
I just wanted to let you know what I found. There was some debris in the line. When I took off the water supply line for the vanity I found some little pieces of wood. But to complicate the problem I had installed some new kind of water supply line that had a water flow regulator on it and when it encountered the pieces of wood it shut down the supply totally. I had these on all the outlets except for the toilet which explains why that worked. Needless to say I've switched out all the supply lines and now all is well.
Milo Dolezal
Apr 28, 2009, 06:29 PM
Yes, these water supply lines are problem. We do not install them any more. I think they are called "flood control" supplies. They basically shut down water flow in case of line failure (... or sudden high flow through line ). They do not work well with solenoid valves or toilets fill valves. If water supply is cut of suddenly, they shut down, too... Kind of annoying resetting water supplies after each load of laundry... :-)
Glad you managed to find the problem and fix it on your own. Good luck. Milo