High Or Low Water Pressure System.

[derekpara]

Is there any way of finding out if my domestic water supply is high or low pressure ?

The cold is from the mains and the hot from a lagged cylinder on the first floor. A plumber has recently fitted one of those tall taps with a bendy pull-down spout and almost ever since it's been installed the cold water pressure is not what it used to be and the hot is barely more than a trickle. The garden tap outide the kitchen window works well as usual with plenty of pressure, as do the taps in the the adjoining wash room and downsairs toilet. All stop cocks are fully open.
A fairly knowledgeable friend told me that from that description he thought that a high-pressure tap had been installed on what is a low pressure system and it would never work properly and a low pressure tap should be fitted. Any help appreciated.

Cheers.

D

[Ryzen]

Your friend could be right...or the plumber fitted isolating valves with a restriction to flow..instead of full bore valves.Many taps today are designed for high pressure systems and the flexi tails may only have a 6/8mm bore.

[Buenchico]

This might help to answer your question:
https://www.plumbtap.com/water-pressure-13-w.asp

[derekpara]

Thanks to you both; very helpful.

D

[klazomaniac]

Hi Derek. Did the plumber alter any pipework with a blowtorch under your sink unit ?

If so, it sounds to me that there may be a build up of flux in the tap. The pressure will push up any excess flux from a soldered joint to the tap filter.

See if the end off the tap unscrews. If it does, unscrew it. Slowly open the cold then slowly open the hot until both are at full capacity. Clear the gauze of any obstructions and replace. Hopefully this may rectify your problem.

[derekpara]

Thanks, Klaz. No, the plumber didn't use a blowtorch, he just attached flexible pipes. I have taken off the filter to clean it but the was no muck or obstruction.

D

[malagabob]

Has the plumber installed the braided flexy pipes correctly. A common problem is too tight a bend in the pipe leading to a collapse/kink of the internal bore.
These flexy pipes should be installed with no bends loops or a very very slow one.

[The Builder]

I think Ryzen is on the right line.

Even without restrictive isolating valves, the braided tails will certainly slow down the flow a lot. (Very small bore.)

So many modern taps will just not deliver the flow needed.
I'm afraid it's probably either fit inline pumps to increase pressure without having to address the flow..........

......... or replace the tap(s).

To answer your question: you have a bit of both. High pressure cold, and low pressure hot. Very common, but not at all ideal Derek.

[teacake44]

Just a shot in the dark, just check that the flexie pipes have not twisted when they were tightened up, I have know this to happen.

[derekpara]

Extra thanks to the last three. Great answers all round.

Cheers.

D