Low Pressure

digthisbigcrux

I've got old galvanized pipes throughout my house and have low water pressure, to the extent that you cannot use the kitchen sink if the shower or washing machine is running. I know that with this kind of pipe, corrosion builds up inside and they constrict and thus you get low water pressure. But I’m trying to figure out the best way to remedy this. It seems to me that a re-pipe is the way to go but is there any chance that maybe just the pipe from the shutoff needs to be replaced or something? The reason I ask is because each fixture has decent pressure on its own – it’s just when you turn on two fixtures on at once that it drops.

I just don’t want to go ahead with a whole re-pipe if something less might get the job done.

Thanks!

redline

Do you lose pressure only at the kitchen sink?
What size pipe do you have?

digthisbigcrux

We lose it everywhere when you turn another fixture on.

Pipe looks like it's about two inches.

majakdragon

Are you sure you are looking at the water supply piping? I have never seen anything larger than 1" piping in residential use. 2" or even 1-1/2" sounds like drainlines.

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digthisbigcrux

I am looking at the supply but it probably is 1 inch. Like most men, I tend to over-estimate size in inches.

majakdragon

Galvanized pipe served it's purpose for years but when it goes bad, it's over. If you remove a piece of that 1" pipe, it will probably have a hole smaller than a pencil in it. I think you are going to be repiping. Sorry.

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Ron The Plumber

Yep time to repipe, go with pex pipeing if allowed in the area.

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