water pressure

this old house

i would like to know if there is a way to improve my water pressure . we just bought the house and did not know what the water pressure was like befor we replaced the water heater with a new one 50 gallon. its city water fed.thank you.

Mike Swearingen

Unless you have old obsolete galvanized supply pipes, you may be able to increase the water pressure in your new home. The only solution for galvanized is replacement. They will scale up inside over the years, reducing the water flow, until eventually plugging up completely.
You need to know what the public water pressure is at the meter (call the City).
If it's above 80 psi,t hen you need to know if this home has an adjustable Pressure Reducing Valve after the meter. If it does, it may need adjusting, repair or replacing to get it down to 60-65 psi.
You can check your home pressure with an inexpensive water pressure gauge that goes on an outside spigot. Available at most any plumbing supply, hardware store, etc.
Once you know the answers to (A) the type of house supply pipe from the meter and in the home, (B) the street pressure, (C) whether your main supply line has a PRV, and (D) what the pressure is at the home, then you can begin to do things to increase the pressure.
Good Luck!
Mike

Teetorbilt

You can check your pressure by simply installing a gauge anywhere and making sure that nothing is running at the time of the check.

Flow may be your problem. Most pipes with city water develop calcium/ iron scale, over time, which reduces diameter/flow.

Economically, call the municipality first and have it checked behind the meter. From the spud to your house and everything inside will be your problem.