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    jickmu31_66's Avatar
    jickmu31_66 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Jun 30, 2008, 08:02 PM
    Household water flow
    What is the recommended water flow requirement for a medium sized home of 3000 sqft?
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
     
    #2

    Jun 30, 2008, 11:37 PM
    Water flow ? Or Did you mean Water Pressure ?
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
     
    #3

    Jul 1, 2008, 05:06 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by jickmu31_66
    What is the recommended water flow requirement for a medium sized home of 3000 sqft?
    Hey Jick,
    You question's confusing. If you're asking about "water usage" that would depend on the amount of people living in the house and the number of fixtures being used. Many factors enter into the equation. For instance, wiith teen agers girls use more water then boys, A working family washes more clothes the a retired one, etc.
    If you're asking about supplying water to the house we supply it with a 3/4" service from the meter. If this doesn't answer your question then repost it adding more details. Regards, Tom
    jickmu31_66's Avatar
    jickmu31_66 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Jul 1, 2008, 01:47 PM
    Well, maybe I should explain my problem that I am experiencing. Low water flow is the main problem, I have increased my water pressure via Square D pumptrol switch to operate from 55-80 psi. My water flow to the outside faucets is hardly enough to operate a sprinkler. If I run the shower inconjunction with the outside faucet, the pressure is so low that the flow isn't much more than a dribble from each. Where is the pressure/flow going? The meter on the water softener reads a maximum of 4.5GPM running many faucets. All water goes through the water softener so the flow meter should be accurate. Do I have a pump, pressure tank, softener or other problem? What can I check to count-out certain potential problems.
    FYI the home is 4 years old and the well is slightly over 100 ft deep
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
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    #5

    Jul 1, 2008, 07:32 PM
    It can be number of problems. It sounds to me like your water flow is somewhere restricted. Let's assume that your pump is working properly and you have plenty of water to pump. So...

    1. Water pressure between 55-80 psi is good operating pressure for average residential house. Do simple test: remove cold water hose from your washing machine and attach water pressure gauge to the valve. (Home Depot: $12.00 ). Turn valve back on. See what's the water pressure inside your house. Than go outside, in front of your house, and do the same test. This time, put gauge on hose bib installed on incoming water line, before it enters your house. If you don't have water pressure regulator than there should not be difference in those two readings greater than 5 psi.

    2. I am deducting from description that you don't have water pressure regulator. If you have one, than make sure it is functioning properly and/or that it is not turned down to minimum

    3. Check your water softener. By-pass it by pushing "By-Pass" valve to the opposite direction. See if that helps.

    4. Make sure, sprinkler system is not connected to your water softener ( on house side )

    5. See if all the water valves in your house are open. There is a chance that one of your valves is half-way closed. Also, if you opened and closed some of your existing water valves, chances are, that the interior part of the valve didn't open all the way - even though you turned its handle all the way until it stopped

    6. Sprinklers should have dedicated water supply. This supply should be connected as close to the source as possible. It should not be connected to the house plumbing. Sprinklers use lots of water volume. When connected to house plumbing system, and activated, sprinklers will take all water from your house cutting down your pressure to minimum. Same applies to garden hose bib.

    7. There is a chance that you have undersized water pipes throughout your house. Do you hear hissing sound from walls / ceilings when water in use ?

    See if any of the above applies and let us know who you did...
    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,020, Reputation: 157
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    #6

    Jul 1, 2008, 09:29 PM
    Jick, setting your pump to cut off at 80# is not a good idea. That's a lot of stress on a pump. Most switches come preset to 20/40 or 30/50, and 60 pounds is generally considered a fairly high cut off point for well pumps. At 60# you should be getting plenty of pressure. Your problem concerns volume, not pressure. First thing to look at is the water softener. It probably has a bypass valve. Try setting the bypass and see if that helps.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
     
    #7

    Jul 2, 2008, 05:01 AM
    Ey Jack,
    Jlisnbe nailed it when he said the magic word, "volume" All the pressure in the world won't help you if you haven't the volume to back it up.
    He's also correct when he tells you that 80 PSI puts a excessive strain on joints and valves, (the average house pressure's 45 PSI.)What material are your pipes? Copper? Galvanized or PVC? How old are they? Let us know if bypassing the water softener helps. Good luck, Tom

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