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September 30, 2008
low water pressure in 10 unit coop
hello, we have very low water pressure in our apt in brooklyn. We live on the 3rd floor in a 10 unit coop. I have identified where the water comes into the building and the pipe is large (maybe 2 1/2" diameter). There is not a water pressure regulator. It seems like the water pressure is limited from the street before it enters the building.
what should i do to increase the pressure?
Comments
If the water pressure was limited at the street (never heard of that one) every apt in the building would have the same complaint. Yet you seem to imply it's only your apt. (?)
Posted by: denton at September 30, 2008 2:42 PM
no it is a building wide problem
Posted by: batfish at September 30, 2008 2:54 PM
Your co-op board needs to address this, not an individual shareholder. Your board should consult a plumber or the appropriate engineering specialty. If you do something on your own you may be violating your proprietary lease.
Posted by: bohuma at September 30, 2008 3:54 PM
You can write to the DEP and request a water pressure test - this cost $250 and will tell you what the water pressure is as it comes from the street into your building.
In some cases you can also install a pump that will increase the pressure inside your building. You should speak with a mechanical engineer or a good plumber.
Good luck!
Posted by: Ray at September 30, 2008 9:31 PM
Is this a new problem or was it always this way?
Water mains can become compromised in the street. They can crush in the settling ground and other fun stuff.
It's highly unlikely though and I would look for water-saving flow-restricting devices in your faucets first.
After that, I would go to a hardware store and ask for the fittings necessary to hook a pressure gauge up to the hose spigot that is probably on your water main piping.
That will tell you how much pressure you've got coming in.
Once you have that value, subtract 1psi for every 2.31 feet (about 27 inches) of height from the water main to your plumbing fixtures. Straight up, no horizontal measurements apply.
That will tell you how much pressure you have available in your apartment.
Anything over about 35 should be fine.
If it's over that and you've got no flow restrictors, then you've probably got a problem with volume of water and not pressure. Then you've got to call a water main contractor.
Start there, though.
Posted by: Master Plvmber at September 30, 2008 10:32 PM
Our co-op had the same issue... we had to have a pump installed in the basement to increase pressure to the upper floors.
We haven't had a problem with poor water pressure since the pump was installed.
Posted by: bren at September 30, 2008 11:24 PM
Do you have old galvanized water supply lines? Our main risers were almost completly clogged with rust deposits. There was rust present at many threaded fittings even on the outside of the pipe. We bought a gauge like the one M. P. describes at HD. It even had a secondary needle that recorded the highest pressure over a 24 hour period, for example like in the middle of the night when city pressure generally increases as overall demand drops. It's a low tech, easy to perform task.
Changing our risers, however, was a major undertaking. More work than a new supply line out to the street when you think about all the interior finishes in the way. We knew our pressure was "off" because our neighbors (same kind of building) was ok.
Posted by: IMBY at October 1, 2008 9:23 AM
thanks everyone.
Bohuma, of course this is an issue for the coop board, i am doing research to present a plan at our next meeting.
master plumber, you always come through. i assume it has been this way for a while (i just moved in). i have looked for the flow restrictors, none there. i think i will get one of the pressure gauges and connect it to the spigot.
IMBY, the lines are all copper. i dont hink we have a corrosion problem.
Posted by: batfish at October 1, 2008 10:01 AM
You either need a larger water main. (3 inches) or the risers are inadequate. Call DEP to do a water pressure test. The problem may also be in the street.
Posted by: Perrone at October 2, 2008 12:48 PM
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