For about a month now I have very low water pressure in my home. When you turn on the washing machine or sink for example and then turn on another water source at the same time there is hardly any water coming out of either source. Sometimes you don't even need to turn on another source to have very low water pressure. I have called my water company and they have already replaced my water meter. He also told me to check the valves which my husband says there is only one pipe coming out of the ground and that doesn't have a knob or anything to turn on. We are at a loss on what to do next and I am not sure if it is something simple we can do ourselves before having to call a plumber. PLEASE HELP!

The first thing you must establish is the pressure and volume coming in from the water company. They should be able to do that for you but may be resistant to do the work. If that happens come back and tell us. Your best pressure should be about 45 psi

Since you are on city water, the usual practice is to install a pressure reducing valve and a shut off valve on the in line. These are usually in the basement or crawl space. Either valve could be plugged with dirt or debris or mineral deposits. Get a test gauge and check the outside water hose bib pressure. You should have 50+ lbs. Do you have a whole house filter? These need to be changed every year or less. You could possibly have a constriction between the meter and the house. You'll need to do a little detective work.

Hi,

The probable cost would be several reasons, when u turn on a faucet then turn on a 2nd and 3rd faucet that means your water lines are undersized. Water lines are sized by fixture units. Each size of water pipes are installed by fixture units.

Or your pipes are as old as the house for instance, a diameter of 1/2" pipe would be 3/8" rather. This would occur on galvanize hot water lines especially because heat would cause corrosions. That is the reason for sediments in water heaters. Just an example.

You might have a pressure reducing valve(regulator) that has a clogged screen(filter).

Or check for a valve that is partially open.

Well yesterday they came to my home and changed out everything. I spoke with the water company this morning and he said he wasn't sure what caused it but whatever he did change has worked and now I have better water pressure than I have ever had before. Thanks so much for the help!

City problem, just what I suspected in post #2

Glad to hear you have water.

I asked the other day about restoring water pressure and received a few answers so now I am at it again! The water company restored my water pressure by changing the meter, check valve and other valves and it worked great for 1 day and the water pressure was very strong. Now last night I realize it is back to being low again with all the same problems I had on my previous question. I called the water company back and they have no idea what is wrong and said he has done everything that he could. He also mentioned to check the regulator on the mobile home and he didn't even know where that was located. Does anyone have an idea on what to do next?


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Your pressure regulator is connected to the city water line, probably next to where it enters your mobile home. It may be in the closet where the hot water heater is located. However, lets start at the faucets. In replacing all of the piping, they possibly stirred up a lot of sediment. Remove the aerators on the sink faucets, and turn the water on. If the water is good, the aerator is plugged with junk. Take it apart and wash the debris out. Do this on all faucets. If there is no pressure change with the aerator off, you could have a plugged regulator or dirt in the seats or seals in the faucets. This requires turning off the water and disassembling the valve bodies and cleaning them out. If this doesn't work, you may have to replace the regulator, not a particularly difficult job but it may be soldered or clamped. In that case a plumber is your best bet. Hope we have been a help.

Hi again,

Do u have a regulator? Turn water main off and disassemble the regulator and clean filter. If changing the meter didn't help, then it is on the house side.

Next, the valve that does not have a knob try and use a tool and turn it counter clockwise to make sure it is in a fully open position.

Flush your hot and cold faucet supplies by disconnecting from fixtures.

Lastly, do u have a house filter that u are not aware off that needs cleaning? Do you have galvanize water pipes? THANKS

I have a plumber that supposed to come sometime today. I will update as soon as it is fixed, thanks!