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://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/tmurset/Buttermilk%20House%20Before/DSCF0305.jpg

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The valve in the picture is leaking too.

What other explanations could there be?

Answer 1

Why is this under Cars & Transportation

Answer 2

There are a lot of things to check, first find the meter box and check that the valve is full open. Then make sure all other valves are open in the supply line. If that's not the problem go back to main shutoff valve and shut off water, at meter, or shut down well pump if on well. Then shut off your water heater so you don't burn out the elements. Go to the valve in the picture and loosen the couplings on both sides of the black pipe and pull it out of there. Turn on main valve to make sure you have good flow and pressure and flush line. If that pipe is a screen or filter replace it. Look to see if you have calcium build up in the pipes too. Good time to repair the leaking valve too. If you can't find the problem it maybe calcium blockage in the pipes. Also drain the sludge out of your water heater at the tap on the bottom with a garden hose to the outside and opening a hot water tap in the house. Make sure that you run all of the air out when refilling the tank by turning on a hot water tap until all air bubbles stop, before turning on the hot water power. If that doesn't fix it, its plumber time. If your buying the house have it inspected first. If its calcium build up you might have to re plumb the whole house....BIG $$$$'s

Answer 3

reckoning on the age of the domicile and the kind of pipe used... Is the pipe steel? Is the domicile older than 2 many years? And is the water stressful water? My guess is which you have clogged pipes. Galvanized pipe rusts from the interior and closes off the pipe. Is your place a slab sort domicile? if so, you are able to assume to have leaking pipes below slab at a while interior the destiny. while you're procuring yet have not closed escrow, then call in an inspector in to seem at this project. (Or a plumber.) as quickly as the domicile closes escrow, you have no longer have been given any recourse in case you may re-pipe. AND re-piping is extremely extreme priced.

Answer 4

The contraption to the right of the valve, in the picture, is not an inline filter. It looks like somekind of a check valve or backflow preventer. It may well be the source of the problem.

Answer 5

Do the outside faucets have the same problem? If they do, it's the water system. this appears to be the inlet pipe or main cut off valve. This may be simple to take apart and inspect. If you don't wish to tackle it yourself, hire a plumber but expect sticker shock!

I would request my realtor put a stipulation in the contract that says the system needs to be fixed or the filter has to be replaced by the seller.

Answer 6

Bingo Huba. Bring it up with the realtor, tell them you want it inspected, and repaired if necessary. But make sure you have a little oversight. You don't want the old "my brother-in-law's cousin is a plumber, he'll take care of it". Make sure it's done by someone reputable. Did you have a home inspection? This is the best time to address these issues, when you have an independant 3rd. party who can evaluate the mechanical systems of the house.

Answer 7

No matter what it is, I would not buy this house until it is repaired completely. This could end up costing you more than you want to spend. Good luck...

Answer 8

Maybe but I would have it checked out, and where does the water come from. well or village water??