[dunner]

Hi folks;
I have a bungalow and have just ripped out the entire basement as it has poor insulation and poor water pressure too. I now have all the pipes exposed and want to figure out how to increaase the water pressure and stop the annoying problem that when someone is showering and somewhere in the house a tap is turned on or a toilet flushed the water in the shower either becomes cold or hot. I have previously had a basement apt and will be rebuilding the apt once I do the repairs necessary. This also is part of the problem as the tenant is effected if we don't realize they are in the shower or vice versa. Okay now I need a good answer.

Thanks;
Robert

[glavine]

Where Your Main Line Comes In To Your House There Should Be A Valve There To Adjust The Water Pressure, Some Run At 40psi Like My House But If You Can Get 60psi Or Better Would Be Good. Check The Psi Rating On Your Piping To Make Sure You Can Increase It

[labman]

I have asked to have your question moved to plumbing. Rest assured your plumbing is rated for 150 psi. Turning up the PRV won't help if you have limed up old galvanized, or some crud built up in fittings. If so, you need to work you way back starting at the tap aireators.

[Ken 297]

Its very rare to have a valve in the basement that you can adjust the pressure.
I am assuming you are on town water.
There are three things that affect the water flow into a house.
The size of the water service, the pressure of the water in your area and the distance your house is away from the water main in the street.
Again I am making an assumption that your pipes are copper.
The problem of temperature change in the shower when someone uses water is easily rectified by the use of a pressure equalizer shower. Since it sounds as if you are doing lots of renovations now would be the time to have them installed. They cost me about $150.oo dollars(Canadian prices) per shower for a decent unit. What happens is the flow will slow down when water is used but the temperature will stay the same. I would recommend them even if you didn't have any other pressure problems.
If you can answer some questions I can give you some better answers regarding your water pressure.
What size is your water service?
Test the actual water pressure . If you want you can call the city and ask what the pressure is on the fire hydrant nearest your house. They should have a record of the pressure on file.
Next measure the distance to the water main on the street to the water meter in the basement. If your not sure where the water main is just assume it runs along parallel to the fire hydrants.
Do you have good pressure in some place and bad other spots?
Sometimes a house will have good pressure at a garden hose attachment and less flow elsewhere. This can give a clue as to what is wrong.
Do you have a water softener or water filter?