I have a low water pressure problem on a house we're buying. I think it might be a clogged filter.?

Question

When we turn on the water we have good pressure for about 10 seconds then it slowly loses flow and pressure almost down to nothing. We checked all the valves and they were turned on.

We think this might be an inline filter that has clogged. Is this possible?

http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/tmurset/Buttermilk%20House%20Before/?action=view¤t=DSCF0305.jpg

(Copy and paste into address bar if link doesn't work)

The valve in the picture is leaking too.

What other explanations could there be?

Answer 1

The contraption, in the picture, to the right of the valve is not an inline filter. Looks like a checkvalve or back flow preventer of some kind. May very well be your problem, but I'd recommend a plumber to look at the system.

Answer 2

I would check with the neighbors first. Do they have the same problem? How long has it been so? Are there new developments in the area?

You said you checked all of the valves. Have you checked the valve at the water meter?

IF the house has been unoccupied, the water company may have turned it off, or someone (the previous owner or landlord) may have tried to close the supply valve. Take a meter tool to the valve at the water meter and be sure that it turns freely. IF the meter's valve has sediment buildup (calcium is usually to blame), it may not open or close fully. IF either is the case, have the water company flush the line and replace the meter and valve.

The next check should be done at the water heater. The heater should be equipped with a drain at the bottom. Hook up a hose and drain it. Watch for slow drain speed and sediment. If the water heater has sediment, then all of the lines from it are suspect. Trip the circuit breaker to the hot water heater, make sure it is off. Remove and check the heating elements while the tank is empty. Pull the screens off each faucet and check for sediment too.

IF the heater is full of sediment, stipulate it be replaced pryor to closing or reduce your offer accordingly.

If you don't know the age of the filter, replace it.

Find the fire hydrants in your area. Write down the color or the tops of each. Fire departments color code the caps according to the water pressure on it's supply line. Call the Fire Department and ask them what pressure(s) corresponds to the color(s) of the hydrant tops in your area. Also ask when they last flushed the water lines and fire hydrants. If it hasn't been done in a long time, it may be time for them to do so. This is a public safety matter and should be addressed accordingly.

New construction, houses or commercial structures will effect the water pressure. Ask the water department if and when a new water tower will be constructed in your area. If they tell you that one isn't planned, and you can trace the water supply problem back to new construction, then you have more information to consider before buying the house.

Because you have an instantaneous but short lived surge when you open a faucet, the system is holding pressure for the most part, which usually indicates no major leaks. You can have minor leaks, the slow dripping kind usually when a joint needs to be cleaned and resoldered or replaced.

If you are considering having the water pipes pressure tested, becareful. Pressurizing an older system may cause it to burst. An older system is clearly suspect.

Of course you should either repair or replace the valve that you are aware of as soon as possilbe.

I could not open the picture at photobucket at this time.

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Depending on the age of the house and the type of pipe used... Is the pipe metal? Is the house older than 20 years? And is the water hard water?

My guess is that you have clogged pipes. Galvanized pipe rusts from the inside and closes off the pipe. Is your home a slab type home? If so, you can expect to have leaking pipes under slab at some time in the future.

If you are buying but have not closed escrow, then call in an inspector in to look at this problem. (Or a plumber.) Once the house closes escrow, you have no recourse if you have to re-pipe. AND re-piping is very costly.

Answer 4

If you are not on public water and have a well, it could be a problem with the well or pressure holding tank. If the house is REALLY old, it could have the kind of pipes that accumulate buildup that restricts water flow. I'd insist on calling a plumber to check it out. This is far too important to be asking us about.

Answer 5

check your ,hot water tank , for too much air,
there a valve, located o nthe right hand side of your tank
grab a bucket, and put it under the tank valve , now open it for about , 30 seconds, and repeat , in about one hour,
this could stopping water ,getting to your pipes.
you could have a leak some where,
turn off,all your faucets, and go watch your meter,
if it spins,when all the faucets, are off, you have a leak ,
no spinning , then you mite have a clogged pipe

Answer 6

Did you have a home inspector come and check it out? They can tell you whats wrong and ways to fix it. Its worth the cost ( about $300) but if you get the home w/o one, youre liable to pay alot more for issues you cant see. Its alot of money to pay for a money pit.... having an inspection is insurance and a way to reduce the overall price or have the current owners fix it.

Answer 7

I could not get the picture but sound like you are on the right track might check your outside faucet may not be filtered. sounds like you know what to check for.

Answer 8

Well it could be the inline and because its cloged, all that pressure is buliding up and it has to go somewhere, hints the leak...

Oh and your link doesnt work!

Answer 9

might be old galvanized pipes full of gunk,roots i would call plumber. my opinion?