Water Pressure problem

[jase747]

Our water pressure was great, however, now when you turn on a tap it starts great then the water pressure reduces greatly within a couple of seconds. Pressure is reduced so much now that the combi boiler doesn't seem to register that the water is flowing so doesn't fire up! Had the boiler checked, it's fine. As for turning on a hot and cold tap at the same time, forget it, it just won't work upstairs and barely works downstairs. Could it be a blockage somewhere? Don't understand why pressure drops so much. Any help much appreciated.

[gasman]

Does this happen with just a cold tap turned on, or just when the hot or both taps are in use ???

[jase747]

Happens with either just cold tap or just hot tap, and flow almost stops completely with both taps running.

[buildersmate]

You have a flow rate problem, not a pressure problem. It sounds like it is as you suspect - a partial blockage that is limiting the rate of passage of water though a part of your system. If it happens to the cold tap that is near the rising main water supply - usually the one in the kitchen - the blockage sounds as if it is not in your house, but between the main stop-**** and the road. Has anything been done recently outside in tewrms of digging in the road that could have crushed the pipe?

[jase747]

Buildersmate, thanks for the suggestion. No road work done recently, we're on private water from a local farm bore hole. It only supplies about 30 homes, our village only has 9 homes, none of which have problems. Sounds like this is going to be an expensive problem to solve.

[buildersmate]

The way you describe it, the static pressure is fine (with no water flowing out). But the second important parameter in these things is the diameter of the pipework that feeds your house. No matter how good the static pressure is, as soon as one turns the tap on, the pressure falls off because the diameter of the pipes is not great enough to pass the volume of water you are demanding.

[jase747]

Many thanks, buildersmate. I'll get on to the farmer that supplies the water and see if he can help. Otherwise it'll be a plumber call out I think.
Regards
Jase