Plumbing Question...

[King Nothing]

Last year around August, we had to do some work on our mater bathroom so we started taking showers upstairs in the guest bath. When we first started taking showers up there, the water pressure was awesome but after about 4 months the water pressure was pretty weak. Well, we finished the master bath and when we started taking showers down there again, the water pressure was awesome and now its weak again. Does anyone have a suggestion as to why this would be? BTW, the pressure in the upstairs bath is still pretty weak and the pressure at the hose spigots and sinks is fine.

[Rhino]

Sounds like some kind of build up. As they keep making "water saving" regulations, the ports that allow the water through are smaller and smaller.

Depending on the minerals and other things in your water, it might be closing those ports off.

If you're basically handy, you can shut off the house water and dismantle the valves to the cartridges. That will let you see what you're dealing with.

[King Nothing]

Sounds like some kind of build up. As they keep making "water saving" regulations, the ports that allow the water through are smaller and smaller.

Depending on the minerals and other things in your water, it might be closing those ports off.

If you're basically handy, you can shut off the house water and dismantle the valves to the cartridges. That will let you see what you're dealing with.

I am basically handy but I have no idea what valves to check or what/where a cartridge is.

[aerofaze]

Sounds like some kind of build up... Depending on the minerals and other things in your water, it might be closing those ports off.

Same thing happens about once a year at my kitchen faucet. I'd unscrew the end and scrape away buildup that accumulates on the screen inside the assembly. Good to go for another year.

Haven't had to do that with the tub/shower faucets, so not sure how you'd examine those.

[Mntntoproc]

Um, no offense, but weather you or GF have hair issues it clogs the overall system. Ox adds to the overall pressure of the system not just drinage issuages. New or old each house acts differently but you need to make sure that hari or other particles aren't hindering the system. Once unclogged we cn dianogse the other issues.

[Reyven]

Um, no offense, but weather you or GF have hair issues it clogs the overall system. Ox adds to the overall pressure of the system not just drinage issuages. New or old each house acts differently but you need to make sure that hari or other particles aren't hindering the system. Once unclogged we cn dianogse the other issues.

We need to work on your dyslexia. Aside from that, it is a good point.

[The Black Knight]

Something you might want to check just for kicks, is your pressure regulator on your meter. I know in our irrigation systems when we start having pressure issues, the culprit can be a pressure reg, either going bad or gone bad. More often then not, it's tree roots causing our problems, but once you start having every zone in the system start to loose pressure, you trace it back to a pressure reg.

Another reason you'll have more pressure in the lower levels of your home is basic gravity. Atmospheric pressure exerts 14.7lbs(sea level, our elevations is around 12lbs). Water will gain pressure as it heads down in elevation.

You can also turn up the pressure on your pressure reg, if you feel you're not getting enough. Most regs on meters(for home use) are set with a field of 25-75lbs adjustment. Most homes are dialed in around 40 to 50psi.

Finally, it could be something as simple as Rhino pointed out, that you've just deposits. Colorado water is known for trashing plumbing.

The "hair-ball" issue that was mentioned, is likely not your problem. Because hairballs will affect your sewer water, not potable water(unless you've had some serious cross-connection contamination issue, which is very unlikely).

[Rhino]

I am basically handy but I have no idea what valves to check or what/where a cartridge is.

The first and easiest thing to check is the shower head. It just unscrews. Most of the "low-flow" regulations, they come with literally about a pinhead size hole. Any debris can easily plug those. Usually they are removable, but I didn't tell you that.

[wulf]

what rhino said.

It's either a shower head issue or the valve (the internals behind the handle)

not a hairball
not a pressure regulator

CLR works well for removing the deposits, available at hardware stores in the draino aisle or as seen on TV

[cptschlongenheimer]

+2

My fifty year old galvanized pipes every once in awhile erode away small particles that release themselves downstream at the faucets & shower heads. Pulling the low flow restricter is the quick cure but your water bill will go up.

[rforsythe]

Um, no offense, but weather you or GF have hair issues it clogs the overall system. Ox adds to the overall pressure of the system not just drinage issuages. New or old each house acts differently but you need to make sure that hari or other particles aren't hindering the system. Once unclogged we cn dianogse the other issues.

Not really sure what kind of wack plumbing your place has, but I can unequivocally guarantee you that hairballs in my drains have absolutely nothing to do with the pressure of my faucets, or anything else in the supply side of the system. They are totally exclusive of each other, otherwise you'd get sewage coming out of your ice maker, shower, etc. Input is not connected to output, one just fills the other by way of your sink and shower when the tap is opened.

[MAZIN]

Rhino is the plumbing pimp. Get him out there and he will snake those holes for ya! Sry it's late and Im bored. But he is a great plumber.

[GixxerCarrie]

That he is...and a kickass boyfriend. He has replaced all of our toilets, sinks, and fixtures in half a day. Plus just put our hot tub in, pump out and replaced it without having to drain it out. Next is my new jacuzzi from Christmas for our Master.

Ask many on this forum...Lots are personal friends, and many here have used him.

[PunyJuney]

Carrie's vote doesn't count because she is sleeping with him, but we give a +2 on Rhino Plumbing. We were previously hosed (pun intended) by Benjamin Franklin, and Rys work is more than fair and efficient. We continue to use and recommend him to others.

[bulldog]

I may be contacting you soon Rhino on some plumbing work I need done on a spare bathroom in my basement that has issues

[MAZIN]

Yep see I told ya, Plumbing pimp! Lays more pipe than langraff

[GixxerCarrie]

Carrie's vote doesn't count because she is sleeping with him, but we give a +2 on Rhino Plumbing. We were previously hosed (pun intended) by Benjamin Franklin, and Rys work is more than fair and efficient. We continue to use and recommend him to others.

It does too count? You don't think he makes me pay?