Hi All,
I am in the process of getting a new boiler (hopefully thru the Green Deal). Our electric upstairs shower dies a death as soon as you look at a tap in the house so I am concerned about our pressure. I bought a mains water pressure gauge which I just attached to the dishwasher supply (right next to the kitchen rising main). I live in Oxford, Thames Water area, and the static pressure reads 5bar, which seems quite good. I then turned on the kitchen tap and it dropped to 1 bar, and with the bath tap on upstairs at the same time the pressure was not registering at all.
I then tested flow - getting 2L in 10 seconds from the kitchen tap
Fluid dynamics not being my strong suit I want to know what this means (and if it is a problem or a normal finding).
A few things I know
- my next-door neighbours replaced their old lead supply pipe and they said it was extremely corroded. I am pretty sure mine has never been replaced
- my pavement valve has been replaced recently (found that it didn't work when I had an internal leak and the rising main stop cock handle snapped in my hand it was so rusty, that was a fun day)
My main questions:
- does this finding mean my water supply pipe is knackered or is it normal for pressure to drop that much?
- if I replace the supply pipe with MDPE will the dynamic pressure be improved?
- do I need to replace the supply pipe before installing a combi boiler?
- if so anyone recommend the best way to get it done (I have a Homeserve policy in place for the water supply pipe but I assume this problem is not covered under their policy)
I have tried all the forums and not found the answer. Any help very much appreciated
I am in the process of getting a new boiler (hopefully thru the Green Deal). Our electric upstairs shower dies a death as soon as you look at a tap in the house so I am concerned about our pressure. I bought a mains water pressure gauge which I just attached to the dishwasher supply (right next to the kitchen rising main). I live in Oxford, Thames Water area, and the static pressure reads 5bar, which seems quite good. I then turned on the kitchen tap and it dropped to 1 bar, and with the bath tap on upstairs at the same time the pressure was not registering at all.
I then tested flow - getting 2L in 10 seconds from the kitchen tap
Fluid dynamics not being my strong suit I want to know what this means (and if it is a problem or a normal finding).
A few things I know
- my next-door neighbours replaced their old lead supply pipe and they said it was extremely corroded. I am pretty sure mine has never been replaced
- my pavement valve has been replaced recently (found that it didn't work when I had an internal leak and the rising main stop cock handle snapped in my hand it was so rusty, that was a fun day)
My main questions:
- does this finding mean my water supply pipe is knackered or is it normal for pressure to drop that much?
- if I replace the supply pipe with MDPE will the dynamic pressure be improved?
- do I need to replace the supply pipe before installing a combi boiler?
- if so anyone recommend the best way to get it done (I have a Homeserve policy in place for the water supply pipe but I assume this problem is not covered under their policy)
I have tried all the forums and not found the answer. Any help very much appreciated
