[ruralwino]

Here's the problem: in the last 2 weeks or so, our water pressure on the hot side has significantly decreased and the cold water is just slightly less. When I turn on a sink faucet, the pressure is fine for about 5 seconds then decreases noticeably, especially on the hot side. The shower pressure is less but gets even worse after the 5 seconds of being on. Sometimes, the pressure seems fine but that's becoming less frequent. Here's what happened in the last week. We are on a well, 250' deep (I found the work order for the new pump and well 3 years ago, I couldn't believe it's so deep but we live on a hill) and have a whole house filter. One of the older toilets in the house was running, I replaced the flapper but it turned out to be the whole flapper thing (it's the set up with the black pipe turned two ways on top of the opening). It was coming open on it's own and staying open and making the pump run. I fixed it for now (with a strategically placed rock) and haven't had problems with it since. When this was happening, I noticed a small decrease in water pressure and thought the whole house filter probably needed to be replaced (this happens after wicked storms sometimes). I've replaced the filter before without any trouble but this time forgot to push the red button (does it matter? I've tried pushing it since) and after changing out the filter, the top of the housing started leaking slowly and that's when the water pressure took a dive. The pressure gauge on the blue tank says 50psi but at one point last week when trying to figure out why the filter housing is leaking, I noticed it read 70psi. I haven't seen it read that since though (it's back at 50). When I have time this weekend I will be flushing the water heater (which is 3 years old and electric) and maybe draining it too. The water pressure just seems to be all over, sometimes it's fine at the kitchen but sucks in the 1/2 bath next to the kitchen. One shower is really bad (maybe the shower head has become clogged?) but the other is usable but still really low. Don't even try to run two fixtures at the same time either now. We used to have good water pressure and I can't figure what's gone wrong. How can a slightly leaky filter housing drop the pressure so much?

I know I have a lot going on with this problem but I'd appreciate any suggestions and/or reasons for the strange drop in pressure after a few seconds of running water, and the inconsistency of the pressure. Also, should I have the filter housing replaced or is there a way to fix that leak too? It's a sears model and it looks pretty old, maybe 10 years?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Steve

[CHayn]

1. Check your aerators 2. try removing the filter from the housing and see if your pressure is back. Could be a faulty filter. 3. Water softener? IF so, try bypassing the softener and check your pressure. Let us know what your results are.

[jlisenbe]

Rural, there is a bypass setting on the filter. I'm wondering if you somehow managed to partially move the bypass valve towards to "off" position. Double-check that. Also, make sure the filter is seated properly. If your filter is like my old one, if the filter is not seated correctly, and that's easy to do, then the clear casing will not screw back on properly and it will leak. Not too sure about the red button, unless it is some sort of lock to prevent to outer casing from coming loose.

CH has good advice.

[ruralwino]

OK, trying the list now. The red button is under the bypass handle and the bypass handle is turned all the way to "on". The leak is actually coming from the housing where the bypass handle is, it's a slow drip that's collecting on the top part then dripping down into a bucket. It's very slow. When I press the red button, it sounds like air is escaping and a little water bubbles up at the button too. It sounds like it's releasing pressure but it doesn't stop, I held the button for 10 seconds. Does anyone know what this button does?

OK, removed the filter and the pressure is back! Thank you guys! I can't believe it was such a simple answer- I was obviously way too close to it. Fresh set of eyes much appreciated!