After a driveway contractor used a power washer on our driveway, the hose bib he was connected to lost water pressure. I had the lawn sprinkler on before he came, pressure was great, and put it back on after he left, pressure was at about 50%. The other hose bibs, and all pressure inside the house is fine, no change.

What could have caused this and how can I fix it?

We have an 85 year old house, this hose bib is original, I'm assuming the metal is a galvanized pipe. Could the power washer somehow have caused a clog somewhere in the pipe?

Thanks,
Susan

Hi Susan,

My bet is that the when the contractor shut off and turned on his power washer that the jar dislodged some minerals built up in the pipe walls that are now lodged in theseat of the hose bib. Since you have galvanized pipes I'm assuming the hose bib's threaded. Turn the water off at the house stop and unscrew the hose bib. Runa wire through the valve tobe sure it's clear. Now, while the line's open turn the water back on to flush any remaining crud out of the supply. Reassemble and test. Regards, Tom

Thanks for the reply - I tried that based on another post I read. Even after flushing, the water is still at about 50%. I'm afraid my next step is a plumber. Any other suggestions before that?

Susan

If you've tried taking off the hose bib and flushing I would open the pipe back up, turn the water back on and take some stiff wire and run it up the pipe to see if there was a blockage at the first ellbo. If there is some crud up there the wire will dislodge it and the water pressure will force it on out. Good luck, tom