Water flow/pressure issue - Do I need a plumber?

[danielbmartin]

Originally Posted by C_Lan

I've adjusted this on my own with success but BEWARE: if you increase the pressure too much you run the risk of finding the weak link in your supply lines. My neighbor adjusted his too high and either broke or exposed a weak coupling on his water heater. Ended up with water all over his garage before he noticed it.

Water heaters have a pressure/temperature safety valve. If the safety on your heater starts "burping" water, the water pressure regulator may require adjustment or replacement.

Shop WaterMaster 200-lb. Pressure Gauge at Lowes.com
A gauge of this type may be attached to an outside hose connection or an indoor clothes washing machine connection. You might expect 40-50 psi. A higher reading indicates regulator trouble.

How do you know which is needed, adjustment or replacement? Try adjusting for a lower pressure. If the pressure remains excessive, you need replacement.

Water pressure regulators may be rebuilt, but in my experience the rebuild kit is (1) difficult to obtain, and (2) so costly that you might as well replace the regulator.

[frankpc]

Originally Posted by gcretro

Located in morrisville. It's a home on slab. I don't think there is any filtration for the whole house. The seller said the kitchen faucet is a low flow/water saving 1.8GPM faucet and considered it normal.

I think best I can do is get a plumber to look to ensure there is nothing major to avoid surprises later?

A plumber is a good bet, but with low flow faucets and a potentially clogged aerator you *might* have a faucet issue.
The plumbing lines under the sink connecting to the faucet - are they the threaded hose type or copper compression lines?
If the threaded hose type water line - the homeowner could test fairly easily. Turn off the water at the valves under the sink. Disconnect the water supply lines under the sink at the faucet end. Loop them into the sink if possible or a large bucket. Now turn on the water at the undersink valve and an additional downstairs location. See if you still get the pressure drop. This will isolate the faucet/aerator from the core plumbing lines.

We had a similar situation due to sediment in the line during a water heater swap.

Frank

[gcretro]

Originally Posted by frankpc

A plumber is a good bet, but with low flow faucets and a potentially clogged aerator you *might* have a faucet issue.
The plumbing lines under the sink connecting to the faucet - are they the threaded hose type or copper compression lines?
If the threaded hose type water line - the homeowner could test fairly easily. Turn off the water at the valves under the sink. Disconnect the water supply lines under the sink at the faucet end. Loop them into the sink if possible or a large bucket. Now turn on the water at the undersink valve and an additional downstairs location. See if you still get the pressure drop. This will isolate the faucet/aerator from the core plumbing lines.

We had a similar situation due to sediment in the line during a water heater swap.

Frank

The hoses are threaded type. Seller said the faucet was cleaned & decalcified. Beyond that he says some drop in flow is expected when higher GPM faucets upstairs is operated. (and the fact that the kitchen faucet is last branch of the main line etc.. )

Anyways, if I do get a plumber, what exactly should I expect from him? Just a visual and a opinion? (The home isn't mine yet, so all I expect is diagnosis). One plumber I called & spoke jumped to the conclusion that it's the pressure regular valve

[cully]

Originally Posted by gcretro

Located in morrisville. It's a home on slab. I don't think there is any filtration for the whole house. The seller said the kitchen faucet is a low flow/water saving 1.8GPM faucet and considered it normal.

I think best I can do is get a plumber to look to ensure there is nothing major to avoid surprises later?

See if you can unscrew whatever is at the tip of the faucet. Could be a little screen blocked with gunk. Run the water then and see what happens.