Low water pressure

[taram86]

Hiya I'm having problems with water pressure at the moment. We live in an end terraced house built in the 30's and for the last 4.5 years we've had only minimal problems with the water pressure. Previously when showering if next door turned on there water/ran there washing machine the water pressure dropped but was still usable now the pressure drops so low the boiler switches off and the shower runs cold. We've had Scottish water out who say it's not there problem as we have 5 bars pressure at the main supply. I've spoke with next door who admits water pressure on there cold tap is worse but due to having a water tank there hot water pressure is fine so there not concerned and the next house along is currently up for rent and the rental company weren't much help. I've no idea where to go from here? Any advice would be appreciated

 

[chris watkins]

It is not so much the water pressure but the flow rate. You can have very high static water pressure i.e. 5 bar with nothing being used but turn the taps on & draw more water than the mains can provide & the pressure drops dramatically.

It sounds like you may be on a communal or shared main if the pressure / flow drops when next-door turns on a tap.
It could be a damage / partly blocked pipe or a leaking mains but the latter is unlikely if the pressure is still high.

You could take your own flow rate & go back to Scottish Water if it is very low (I think the minimum they can supply is 9L/M)
Time how long it take to fill a large bucket of a known quantity & work out the Litres per minute (L/M) do this when no one is using it & then at peak times.

Otherwise it is call a plumber to investigate.

 

[Sparkgap]

Old pipes = crudded up = replace
Obvious thought: you HAVE checked to make sure the main stopcock's fully open?