Newbie- Low water pressure

[luke123456]

Hi

Hello! This is my first post here and really need your help....

I live in a 4 bed semi detached, in London and the water pressure is very low.

We had a large valiant combi boiler installed, but looking back at it now we should have had a mega flo but didn't know much about this at the time.

If anyone opens the kitchen tap for example the water pressure anywhere else drops and so the person having a shower can't really shower with low water pressure! Or even if you flush the toilet you have to wait a few minutes before any other tap will give you a decent flow of water.

We had a builder install some kind of pump (don't ask me more, it didn't cost more than £100 and is in the garage..) but this hasn't worked.

Someone suggested calling the water company and they install a bigger diameter pipe, but they have to install a water meter aswell (which I don't want) is this right?

We moved in about a year and a half now and did a lot of refurbishment to the house so I am looking for something that's not gonna destroy most of the work we have done. But nay ideas and advice is welcome please!

Many thanks!

 

[Steve ski]

im unsure why your pressure is so low so investigating this would be my first call, on the upside you could have an accumulator, these work by storing pressure in a large vessel during off peak times ie when less water is being used. this then releases this pressure when you shower or whatever during the day, worth looking into !

 

[luke123456]

Thanks for the reply, I am a total novice.

As I say we have had someone install a pump of some sort, and still doesn't work....although it didn't cost us that much....but I don't want to be paying people to keep trying things

I don't think we have an accumulator as the pressure is always low

Can you please help me out as to how to investigate this??

Thanks!

 

[Steve ski]

A mega flow would have been of no use to you if the pressure is so terrible !

 

[luke123456]

A mega flow would have been of no use to you if the pressure is so terrible !

Oh OK in that case I don't feel so bad now!! haha thanks!!

 

[drip-dry]

So many folk do their homes up to look nice and ignore the basic infrastructure....
maybe look at a cold water accumulator
You could also look at restrictors at outlets
Seen a few of these little pumps fitted on the mains but are not much good as only low power to remain within water regs

 

[luke123456]

Yes I had previously lived in a mid terraced in London with no problems, didn't really think this would be an issue....

 

[jtsplumbing]

Do you still have a old lead water main coming into the house ? what's the pressure like next door ?

 

[luke123456]

I think it is an old lead water main

i don't know I will ask the neighbours!

 

[jtsplumbing]

If Lead you need to get that replaced, if next door pressure is ok new water main should sort your problem

 

[luke123456]

How do I know if it's lead?

Also if it is lead and I get it replaced, does that mean the water company are only allowed to replace it? Does this mean they go on to install a water meter?

 

[jtsplumbing]

No you can get someone to run in a new supply, You may even get help of the water board towards to cost of replacing main, Lead will be dull grey scrape surface will be shiny some old property's had iron main

 

[luke123456]

So I guess I need to find a good plumber as a start....? U don't come round London way do u? Haha

 

[jtsplumbing]

I could , but go into Plumber wanted section lots of members in your area ,

 

[Mike Jackson]

You're going to get a water meter soon anyway. They are being fitted across the country wherever possible.

 

[luke123456]

Oh how do you know this? Any sources I can read....?


anyway I would like to avoid having a meter obviously until the water companies actually force it....

 

[stevetheplumber]

where in london are you ?

 

[luke123456]

North West London
Brent Council

 

[luke123456]

Should I have a look online here?