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jamigirl · Nov 10, 2005, 06:14 PM

Any help would be great. Two story home, 2 bath built in 1990 upstairs; bottom shower and sink built in 2000. Live near swampland, and have well. New water softener 2 months ago. Read a thread that when bypass is put on softener and water comes out better, then possibly a clog somewhere? The lucky guy who solved the problem through the experts advice said it worked, but where would the clog possibly be? My problem is very similar, water is low pressure it always has been, but lately it is like beating the clock taking showers, dishes, anything in the house. Once the water is gone (usually within 5-10 minutes), No specifc area either. Same pressure or no water, etc all through house. Even in the morning, sometimes there's barly any water to make a cup of coffee... uuuggghh :mad: so whatever water I choose to run, it has to be of importance, or I might run out. When the bypass is turned on, no problem w/ water flow, just icky smelly water, :mad: So experts, please help, we just bought this house, our mortgage is killing us, what a price to pay, a gal can't even take a decent shower! Thank you, Thank you.. and if We fix, I will definitely let you know, and send you citrus... :)

labman · Nov 10, 2005, 08:54 PM

How does your bypass work? We have 2 vertical pipes connected near the bottom with the bypass valve. Somewhere between the 2 connections to the bypass, there is an obstruction likely in an elbow or valve. Shut the water off and take some of the joints apart and see if you can find the problem.

jamigirl · Nov 11, 2005, 05:25 AM

Ill check it out today... and respond shortly... thanks

speedball1 · Nov 11, 2005, 05:58 AM

Greetings from Sarasota, (Thanks for the citrus offer but I have my own little grove. I'll bet Labman likes fruit though.)
While we install water softeners we don't service them. Your clog is most likely in a eltro-magnatic valve in the softener and you may have to bite the bullet and call in outside help. If, as you say, " lately it is like beating the clock taking showers, dishes, anything in the house. once the water is gone (usually within 5-10 minutes)."

Then the clog sounds like it originates in the inlet stage of the softener leaving you the water in the tank and the lines to run out of volume and pressure as you make a draw. You also say, "New water softener 2 months ago" this should leave the softener under warranty. This problem should be fixed by the dealer at no extra charge to you. Good luck, Tom

jamigirl · Nov 12, 2005, 04:27 PM

Ill call for warranty, I also read from an expert that to check the faucets. Can one clogged faucet cause this? I noticed a couple heads seem to be a bit old, due for a change. Just wondering, if this may cause a build up or something. By the way, we are 0/0 truckers, any advice from us would be recipricated!! I'm glad I found this sight, and would surely help the next guy with the know-how and all.
And not to be a pain in the.. but before we installed the softener, the water upstairs was running low... very low in the tub (no shower in 2nd bathroom just tub) just wanted to interject that, so in case, it might have been a problem prior to the installation. We got the softener from sears, my guy was there at the time, and he said it was like pulling teeth to get the lady to even hook it up... thought I should add that comment. I have been all over the USA, and anybody please feel free to ask me about tourist stuff on states, like this sight, it is good to cut corners, not at other expenses, but by others helping others... thanks jamie
Ps sarasota.. feels good not to run that a/c 24/7 whheehhh, that was costin' us a fortune!

speedball1 · Nov 12, 2005, 04:53 PM

Hi Jamie,
, "i also read from an expert that to check the faucets. can one clogged faucet cause this?"
Labman advised you to, " Shut the water off and take some of the joints apart and see if you can find the problem."
But since you're under warranty I wouldn't touch a thing that would give them a excuse to void it.
Every softener has a bypass. It consists of three shut offs. Two on the vertical pipes and one on a crosspiece above them. To bypass the softener shut off the two valve and open the one on the cross piece. Let's get past the softener and we'll go into the loss of volume when that's settled. We Floridians kick about the cost of cooling our homes but can you imagine the cost of heating a 3 bedroom home way up North this year. OUCH!

jamigirl · Dec 1, 2005, 12:06 PM

Hopefully its OK now, the water softener was still under warranty, the sears guy just came out... He released the pressure on the softener, than was amazed at how much iron was in the "Distributer" the damn thing was extremely clogged... so he replaced the distributer, and put it back togather, and whallaaaa, the water seems to be working great. It has only been a couple hours... so knock on wood... I hope that was it. Now, apparently they do sell filters for the iron.. but the plumber said that would be costly... $600.00. He said this was a common problem in Florida.. so, considering I bought the softener 4 months ago, I would assume with the amount of iron that is building up, it would be best if I change the distributer cap every three months. They are only $13... ill keep in touch thanks Jamigirl