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pompopei · May 5, 2008, 10:40 AM

HI, my WM supply used to feed from the first branch of the municipal cold water supply pipe inside my basement. I relocated the WM and now feeds from right before the cold water entrance to the water heater, i.e. at the end of the loop after cold water branches throughout the house. This also means that the WM now feeds hot water as the first branch after the water heater.

Now, when I turn on the WM the pressure in the bathroom upstairs goes down dramatically.

What can I do to solve this problem?

Thanks for help.

massplumber2008 · May 5, 2008, 12:37 PM

Hey Pompopei:

Tell me did you repipe copper water pipes to new washing machine or did you use PEX thermoplastic pipe system?? Did you work on any other pipes?

ANd, hate to ask, but are you sure you did not get this pressure drop when washing machine was in old location and you are just noticing this now because you disturbed things..? You would be surprised how many people tell me NO, then pay me for 2 hours to investigate all options, and then husband walks in door and says... "IT'S ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THAT MARGE".!

I SWEAR!!

Hey, get back to me with more info. Thanks... Mark

pompopei · May 5, 2008, 01:42 PM

I used all 1/2" copper pipes for the WM. I cut and capped the pipes in the old location and drew new ones for the new place.

Regarding the second question, the answer is no, the situation is new and the drop in pressure is dramatic. It was noticed first by my wife and then by me and to my knowledge no one else lives in the house.

I am thinking of uncapping the old pipes and extending them to the new location, which would be a major job. I also have a less complicated option to draw a special branch from close to the cold water supply entrance into the house and feed the WM through another route with it. This, however, would still leave the hot water feed into the WM the first after the water heater. Since I cannot explain the problem, I do not know if this would solve it.

None of the two options would be simple and of course I do not want to do either one and find that the problem remains.

Thanks

massplumber2008 · May 5, 2008, 03:19 PM

Pompopei:

Location of pipe connections should not make the difference here... unless you connected into 1/2" pipes and pipes at other end were 3/4" somehow. That is not likely, however (sounds like you are nearer the water heater where should have larger pipes).

This is about volume... not pressure... so think about that for a few... look around at pipes you connected into. Would love to see you take these pipes off 3/4" pipes if have them... that would fix this... I think.

Something's up... if you can think of anything else, let me know.

Let me think on it for awhile tonight.. check back later tonight... Mark

pompopei · May 5, 2008, 03:20 PM

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pompopei · May 5, 2008, 03:26 PM

Thank you for trying to help. I want to add that my house is small, has two bathrooms only, that all the piping is copper, that I have a new underground copper pipe into the house and that the old pipes to the WM were also 1/2".

pompopei · May 5, 2008, 03:31 PM

Sorry, did not reply fully. I want to explain that the main circuit of the house piping is 3/4" and that the feeds for the WM come off that same circuit with 1/2", except in a different location. Thank you for pointing out that the problem is volume, not pressure. However, I do not know what else to look for.

massplumber2008 · May 5, 2008, 03:34 PM

Yes... but do you have any 3/4" copper pipe in the house now? If so, may need to connect into them to increase the volume available to house when using washing machine.

You also mentioned that there is a new water main that was recently installed. Any chance there is issue here?

For example, is street cock at city street/curb open all the way? If it wasn't, you would not necessarily notice a drop in pressure/volume until pipes opened such as you present (washer on and then sink on upstairs = reduced volume).

Seems as good a place to start as any... if ask me. Call city/town and ask them to come and make sure the shutoff is open all the way.

It sounds like this is only other thing that could cause this....more likely in fact then moving pipes causing issue..!

And tell me.. you sure pipe size is same or larger at new water main..

.

pompopei · May 5, 2008, 04:20 PM

I am certain of the following: (I) the copper pipe coming into the house is type K, 1" size; I saw it being installed some two years ago ( I called this "new", but this is what I really meant); (2) the main piping inside the house is all copper 3/4" size; (3) all the fixtures, including the WM feed from the main piping with 1/2"size copper.

With respect to street cock at curb being opened all the way, this problem, if it exists, has been there for at least two years, since the main water line was replaced and certainly before the present problem arose, just four days ago. Besides, when I open an outside faucet, which is the first outlet of the inside piping circuit, I get a torrent of water.

massplumber2008 · May 5, 2008, 05:55 PM

Pompopei...

Now that is the kind of detail I just thrive on!!

Street cock at curb is not issue then... is it... :)

AND this problem did not just pop up 4 days ago... right? You just tried to use the new washing machine hookup you installed 4 days ago... and noticed this volume issue... yes?

Hey! Wow!. you have a 1" type K water line coming into house...and 3/4" water mains for hot and cold pipe... and all lines branch off 3/4" mains 1/2"... AND get "torrent of water" at the outside faucet... that is some unexpected information... ;)

Like we both suspect..something up here..

You could try to connect back to old pipes like YOU suggested... but I am telling you that is not a correct answer (it may fix issue... ;) , but not an answer).

There has to be another logical answer and it is right in front of you... ;)

Let me think about this some... will get back to you tomorrow PM (big day work tomorrow).

Meanwhile maybe others might chime in! We have some real creative guys here... THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE, TOO!!

Touch base tomorrow PM... Mark

Hmmm...

pompopei · May 6, 2008, 10:42 PM

I want to add that, although we only noticed the problem this past week, having recollected with my wife (only she and I live in the house) we cannot say conclusively that we recall having turned on the upstairs tap while the WM was working downstairs. In other words, we are not 100% certain that the problem was not there before.

To confirm the problem, today I opened the faucet at the laundry tub, which is next to the relocated WM. It delivers full pressure and volume. At the same time, however, the faucet in the lavatory upsairs had only a sliver of water coming out.

Still hoping to get some enlightened advice as to what may be causing this problem.

Thanks.

massplumber2008 · May 7, 2008, 03:46 AM

I'll tell you pomopopei:

With a 1" copper main coming into the house and 3/4" copper trunk lines... you shouldn't be having any issue at all!. at least you shouldn't be getting anything to do with a "sliver" of water from any sink while running anything...

You do have full size 3/4" going into and coming out of the water heater...yes??

You don't have a sprinkler system...do you??

Any pressure reducer in line..??

Shutoff at upstairs sink fully open??

(i'm drownin' over here)...

Let me know what you think....may be time to call in a plumber and see if he can resolve this for you.

I have never seen any home with 1" copper main coming into it have this issue... ever.

Let me know.. Mark

pompopei · May 10, 2008, 03:12 PM

Dear Massplumber2008. I appreciate your help. I have neither a pressure reducer nor a sprinkler system and all shutoffs at upstairs sink are fully open. I would call a plumber, but I doubt that he would know more than you. If you come up with any other suggestion on what to look for or test, please let me know. Otherwise, thanks a lot for trying.