[Gaz52]

I have very poor water flow but the pressure has been tested by the water authorities and is found to been at bar 4 which should be very good.
I am contemplating replacing the pipe from my boundary to the stop tap (at a cost of £500), as I was told this may be the proplem. It is not lead by the way.
How can I be sure that I am not wasting my money and that this is the problem of very poor water flow?

[ballengerb1]

Is your water volume poor at every spigot and fixture in the home or just at the stop tap you mentioned?

[Gaz52]

Is your water voliume poor at every spigot and fixture in the home or just at the stop tap you mentioned?

When the water board came they measured the pressure at the outdoor tap at rear of house, said pressure OK, then he checked the water flow and said it was very poor, it is like that at every tap in the house upstairs and downstairs. It has been like this for a while but having a power shower I really didn't think it a problem, but I would now like to get it sorted.

[ballengerb1]

Interesting, you have good pressure but poor volume. It could be clogged pipes in your house but the water board needs to confirm both good pressure and volume from their end. Pressure alone is not sufficient. I can creat a pipe with 200 psi but would still take all day to fill a bucket. Tell them you want their psi and gpm both measured and then come back.

[Gaz52]

Thanks I will get back to them regarding your suggestion. I ought to mention that a few years back a plumber actually disconnected the pipe at the stop tap and he thought the flow from the boundary was low which has led be to think this pipe is at fault. I just wondered if there was another way of testing this pipe without replacing it. Obviously I am worried at spending this amount of money and then finding the problem remains.

[ballengerb1]

By boundary do you mean the incoming pipe from the water department? If yes a psi and a gpm test will tell if the problem is on your side or the city side.

[speedball1]

Your PSI of 58 at the meter and the fact that a plumber informed you that your volume was low out of the water service pipe plus you're considering replacing it,

I am contemplating replacing the pipe from my boundary to the stop tap

leads me to assume that you have a older home with galvanized piping. Over the years Iron oxcide (rust, see image) will build up on the pipe walls and restrict the volume. Replacing the service would help but be advised that the rest of the pipes inside your house are galvanized and they,too, will build up rust. You may not only be looking to replace the water service but also a full repipe job on your house. Good luck, Tom

[Gaz52]

Thanks for your reply but I am assured by everyone that the pipes are not lead, I can't remember the name , but they are of the plastic type.

By boundry do you mean the incoming pipe from the water department?? If yes a psi and a gpm test will tell if the problem is on your side or the city side.

Yes this is the pipe I am talking about. I think the answer would be to get the water board back for the gpm test.

[ballengerb1]

Plastic type could be PVC or CPVC inside the house.

[speedball1]

I am assured by everyone that the pipes are not lead

Even though they are both silver Galvanized pipes are not lead, And if your water service is plastic why did the plumber inform you that it had a poor flow from the boundary . I still think you have a galvanized water service. How old is your house and have you had it rerpiped?: Something's not right here. Please take a knife and scrap a bit off the water service pipe and tell me what the pipe looks like. Regards, Tom

[Gaz52]

Plastic type could be PVC or CPVC inside the house.

Hi,

The pipe is "Alkathene"