When I flush the toilet, the water in the sink and bathtub goes down to a trickle.?

Question

This happens to the kitchen sink to, and it takes a few minutes to get a normal amount of water again. What causes this, and how can I fix it?

Answer 1

Pretty much everyone her is correct. Low water pressure. It could be that the line coming in to your property is corroded and has cut down on the water flow.

If you are in an apartment complex, it is simply too many faucets are open, showers, and other commodes flushing.

Answer 2

insufficient water supply. Probably all run in 1/2" pipe. Could be old galvanized plumbing that is plugged but I'd guess it's just undersupplied. You flush the toilet and it takes away volume and pressure from the other fixtures, toilet fills and back to normal. Re-piping it correctly would fix it. Normally water main comes into the house as 3/4 or 1 inch. Most houses only need 3/4 mains after that point, they run through the house and at every fixture you add a tee and branch off of the 3/4 with 1/2" to supply the fixture. You can't supply more than 1 fixture with a 1/2" line.

If you do, you end up with the problem you describe. I'll also guess it's an older home, probably has galvanized piping which is corroded and has lost some of it's capacity. so it carries even less water that it actually should be. Ask your neighbors if they have the same problems as you, if they do then check into the pressure. If not, then I'll stick with what I said. Re pipe it, correctly.

Answer 3

I would say the cause of your problem is a really poor water distribution design. They must have taken the toilet tap as the first supply off the water line.
What you would need to do is replimb some or all of your fixtures to get acceptable supply to all of them. Typically you'd want to run a 3/4" or maybe even a 1" line to feed all the fixtures, with 1/2" or 3/4" taps off the main for each fixture. Unfortunately, since the home is already built, this would require a lot of rework of not only the plumbing, but also the walls. I'm sure you can call some plumbers and get quotes for the work as it applies to your house layout.

Answer 4

It's the system in the toilet re-filling with water ready for the next flush, sounds like you also have poor water pressure to your house. So that's my answer to the first part of the question, fixing it will not be simple, hopefully a plumber will respond as well.

*If you live in a high spot in your city, or high in an apartment block, then this may be the cause of your low pressure

Answer 5

Definitely sounds like a pressure issue: basically you have a certain amount of water coming in, and it's being diverted to multiple uses (toilet, shower, sink). Using one means less water available for us by the others. Seems odd that it would take so long to get back to normal after you've flushed.

Answer 6

Two things I can think of. As mentioned, low water pressure. Normal is 40 to 60 pounds pressure. You can buy an inexpensive gauge that hooks up to an outside faucet or washer valve. If it isn't pressure, then it is an undersized supply line. Probably 1/2" instead of 3/4 or 1". If it is an old house, it may be galvanized steel pipe that is reduced inside by deposits.

Answer 7

I would check your water inlet into the house. It sounds like the valve is only open a little. You are only getting a gallon or so a minute water flow for the house. This could be caused by a valve that is either mostly closed, or there is a piece of crud that has blocked it. You might need a plumber.

Answer 8

hi
could be water pressure is to low
do you live in a complex?
if not and a single home i would call the city and have them check the pressure

Answer 9

YOUR WATER PRESSURE MAY JUST BE LOW OR THERE ARE CERTAIN TIMES OF THE DAY WHEN PPL USE MORE WATER, SO THAT COULD BE WHY ASWELL

Answer 10

low water pressure.