Residential water ?

[peppy]

The house I have been working on has water issues. We have had the line from the water meter replaced 3/4" and all the water lines replaced downstairs. The question I have is how many gpm of water should we realistically expect.


I timed filling a 5 gal bucket today and it took over 2.5 minutes.

I tried the test in the tub and a utility sink and both were over 2.5 minutes.

Thanks.

[Bill Douglas]

Not very good. I'd test it at the end of the new pipe from the meter to start off with.

[peppy]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Not very good. I'd test it at the end of the new pipe from the meter to start off with.

That's where I tested the first time. The line comes under the foundation and the cold water for the tub is tapped into it with 1/2" cpvc.

[peppy]

Sorry pressure is around 35-40 psi, unless someone runs water or flushes a toilet.

We have had this house for 40 years and always thought it was the old galvanized pipes. I have replace those so I'm thinking it's on the other side of the meter now.

[id10t]

No knowledge of city water systems, but for our well pump we have a tank with an air bladder to provide pressure. May help that I'm in Florida so no real "up" needed.

Could you set something similar up - let it feed from the city line, sit in your tank, and use extra air pressure?

[plumb4u2]

Originally Posted by peppy

Sorry pressure is around 35-40 psi, unless someone runs water or flushes a toilet.

We have had this house for 40 years and always thought it was the old galvanized pipes. I have replace those so I'm thinking it's on the other side of the meter now.

With 40 PSI you will never be satisfied unless you have a booster pump installed
here is a pic of mine, I also have 40 PSI, I was able to live with it for about a month after I bought my house. But hey I'm a plumber so was cheap and easy for me to install

[peppy]

I have talked to the town manager, and the town is looking into the water line. There a two water lines on the street, an 1.2" and a 6", we are thinking we may be on the 1.5" line.

Any ideas about gpm for city water supplies?

Justin I have asked about a pump and the town would be open to that. I just don't want to put anymore money into this until I know what the problem is.

[plumb4u2]

Originally Posted by peppy

I have talked to the town manager, and the town is looking into the water line. There a two water lines on the street, an 1.2" and a 6", we are thinking we may be on the 1.5" line.

Any ideas about gpm for city water supplies?

Justin I have asked about a pump and the town would be open to that. I just don't want to put anymore money into this until I know what the problem is.

please help me understand this, why would you ask the town about installing a booster pump? Its your house you can do as you please

regardless of what water main you are tapped into you will still need the pump

You should stop thinking about the gpm, gpm is going to be restricted by pipe sizes, faucets and many other things
bottom line is that if you have 40 psi from your 3/4" main a pump is needed

I understand you want to spend as little as possible which is why the pump makes most sense

[peppy]

Originally Posted by plumb4u2

please help me understand this, why would you ask the town about installing a booster pump? Its your house you can do as you please

regardless of what water main you are tapped into you will still need the pump

You should stop thinking about the gpm, gpm is going to be restricted by pipe sizes, faucets and many other things
bottom line is that if you have 40 psi from your 3/4" main a pump is needed

I understand you want to spend as little as possible which is why the pump makes most sense

Justin, the town is going to pay for connection to the larger water main. I think the problem is volume not pressure, so if connecting to the bigger line doesn't fix the problem then I will consider a pump. How much pressure should I have?

I have hear of the town making people remove the pumps, because it affects their neighbors water.

[Danimal16]

How far from the City connection is your house?

[Danimal16]

What is the elevation difference from the City connection to you house connection?

[plumb4u2]

Originally Posted by peppy

Justin, the town is going to pay for connection to the larger water main. I think the problem is volume not pressure, so if connecting to the bigger line doesn't fix the problem then I will consider a pump. How much pressure should I have?

I have hear of the town making people remove the pumps, because it affects their neighbors water.

Around here most city water pressure delivered to the house is 120 psi which then requires a Pressure reducing valve (PRV)
When I install or replace a PRV it is adjustable and I set pressure between 65-70 psi

If the town is making people remove pumps because it affects neighbors?? (this makes no sense to me)
It sounds like the towns water distribution system is in great need of up grade

[RWebb]

How old is the pipe from the City connection to your house?

It might be clogged with precipitate and should be replaced.

If you do, then put a hose bib inline before any pressure reducer - gives you a high pressure hose

[GWN7]

Here water pressure is 65-75 psi. That is fed from a 6" line. (We have 6", 8" & 10" domestic water supply lines).

If you are hooked to a 1.5" water line it might be corroded to the point of being almost closed with rust. It's like your trying to supply your house with a fridge/ice maker line.

You can pump a water supply line dry and that can cause it to completely collapse. That might be why the town doesn't want you to put a pump on that line.

[peppy]

The line from the meter to the house was replaced about 15 years ago and the tap to the meter is at least 40 years old and probably as old as the public water supply.

I guess a pump is what I will do. Do you use just a regular shallow well pump and tank or is it more specific?