[bevwhitehd]

Need to flush all the water pipes in a new home construction. Had to do it on a previous home due to debris in lines but have forgotten how to do it. Does someone know the procedure? Thx.

[afaroo]

First you need to flush the water heater;
With the pressure on, connect a garden hose to the water heater drain open the drain and let it run until the water runs clear. This shouldn't take more than a few minutes. Now pull each aerator and clean the screens. Be sure you put them back together the same way you took them out, before you install the Aerators run the water for a few minute in each faucet also remove the shower head run the water, clean the shower head and install, I hope this will work, good luck.

John

[hkstroud]

To flush a pipe you simply open the faucet and let the water run. If you mean drain the pipes, you turn off the water where it comes into the house and open all the faucets and flush all toilets.

If you think you have debris in a faucet, remove the aerator and open the faucet briefly. Disassemble the aerator and clean. Pay attention to how the aerator comes apart so you can reassemble.

If you think you have debris trapped in a stop valve somewhere in the piping you have to remove the valve and clean or replace.

Tell us more about what problem you have.

[bevwhitehd]

Thx. I lived in Alex for years (Pentagon worker). Water pressure to house is 176 but pressure in house is lousy. Water Co rep said builder probably did not flush out pipes thus something is blocked somewhere - need back flush. Pressure at initial water line source is better than pressure inside house. All faucets are clean. Had sand in water in FL, and we backflushd house for an hour; ran water through pipes from one side of house to the other. Don't remember how we did it. Thx

[hkstroud]

First, you need a pressure reducing valve and need one bad.

Second I don't see how anything could be blocking at 176 lbs. of pressure. Only way to back flush would be to have another water source, open pipe on house side of main shut off valve.

After I think about it, maybe you do have a pressure regulating valve and it just needs to be adjusted.

(spent 27 years in the basement of the Pentagon)

[bevwhitehd]

Did A, N, AF, NATO, SecDef - 33 yrs. Ret'd '96. Have regulator but don't know about adjusting part. Thx.

[hkstroud]

Stop by Lowe's or Home Depot. Pick up a pressure gauge, the kind that attaches to outside hose bib.
Attach to hose bib, open hose bib and see what pressure reading is. That will be your static pressure. Should be 50-60. If pressure too low, loosen lock nuts and screw in stem of PRV. Open a faucet or two see what reading is. Will be some decrease. If pressure drops too much you have a flow or a volume problem. Meaning that there is an obstruction somewhere. Probably at main shut off valve.

(NMCSSC later named JDSSC, later named JITSA, computer support to Joint Chiefs and Sec Def. Retired '88)