Do It Yourself Help-Home Projects

Dylan · 12-07-2009, 12:48 AM

If you have galvanized pipes, the problem with your low pressure water could be the pipes themselves. When they rot, the rot from the inside in. Thus, you won't see any damage until you cut the pipe open...at which point, you'll see all the rot clogging up the pipe. I had this in a house once. And it was the hot water pipes. I started in the bathtub, and ended up replacing all the pipes...allllllllll the way to the street. It was a nightmare.

For the rot in front of the tub: If you're planning on replacing it anyways, you can always try to old "If you can stab a screwdriver through it, it's rotten" test. But that only works if A) you don't have tile, and B) you're already planning on replacing any linoleum (or whatever else you've got on top of the subfloor).

Dylan...hates plumbing

Jess · 12-07-2009, 07:08 AM

Great thread! Thanks Kimbo for getting it started!

Sorry to hear about your water pressure issues. We have taken on the joys of an older home also ( circa 1850's) which has been updated in interesting manifestations over the years. This includes the labyrinth of pipes and fittings under it. Most of the copper has been replaced, however it wasn't replaced with the size pipes that provide for better pressure so we will be changing those all out this spring. The size of your pipes may have something to do with it, along with what has been mentioned earlier in the metal decay itself.

We just replaced the gauge on the water holding tank and the nipple was totally clogged going into the filter. We are on a well, so I'm not sure if you even have a tank, so that may not be something you can check. Repairing those two things increased our pressure 3X.

Good luck and I hope it turns out to be something manageable for you!

Novelafemme · 12-07-2009, 07:38 AM

Hey Kimbo

JAGG is the honorary DIY home flipper...I think you have his number...give him a call! He loves to talk shop

I do remember the galvanized pipes nightmare. My ex recently tore out the 1912 plumbing in his bathroom and it was exactly as Dylan said...rotted from the inside in. Looked like water logged tree roots that had been eatten by termites...YUCK! That can for sure affect your water pressure.

christie · 12-07-2009, 11:17 AM

Yay for the DIYers!

Our new countertops are FINALLY in! I cant WAIT to be rid of the existing country blue ones!

As per usual, I am expecting what should be fairly straightforward to be ANYTHING but... By the end of the day, we will have shiney newness and hopefully Jess won't have too much more "tinsel" at hys temples!

Wish us luck!

Christie

Kimbo · 12-07-2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan

If you have galvanized pipes, the problem with your low pressure water could be the pipes themselves. When they rot, the rot from the inside in. Thus, you won't see any damage until you cut the pipe open...at which point, you'll see all the rot clogging up the pipe. I had this in a house once. And it was the hot water pipes. I started in the bathtub, and ended up replacing all the pipes...allllllllll the way to the street. It was a nightmare.

For the rot in front of the tub: If you're planning on replacing it anyways, you can always try to old "If you can stab a screwdriver through it, it's rotten" test. But that only works if A) you don't have tile, and B) you're already planning on replacing any linoleum (or whatever else you've got on top of the subfloor).

Dylan...hates plumbing

I hate plumbing too!!

This is actually my fear, Dylan. I've been warned about galvanized plumbing a lot. I've also been warned about the knob and tube electrical in the house. It's a 1942 house that I have very little attachement too.

I am not fixing the house up for my pleasure and am trying to put as little financially into it, I want to put it on the market--this is my last year in Seattle. Chances are someone will buy this house and rip it a part or even rip it down and put a bigger house on the property.

Thanks everyone for your input.

I really need to give in and crawl under the house--not my favorite thing to do. I know I have new copper coming in from the street, I need to get under there and see if I can find some of this stuff, but now I know a few things to look for.

12-07-2009, 12:48 AM	#1
Dylan Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Permanently Banned 10/2010 Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: She thinks all my jokes are corny Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Great State O' Posts: 880 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,027 Thanked 1,838 Times in 500 Posts Rep Power: 0	If you have galvanized pipes, the problem with your low pressure water could be the pipes themselves. When they rot, the rot from the inside in. Thus, you won't see any damage until you cut the pipe open...at which point, you'll see all the rot clogging up the pipe. I had this in a house once. And it was the hot water pipes. I started in the bathtub, and ended up replacing all the pipes...allllllllll the way to the street. It was a nightmare. For the rot in front of the tub: If you're planning on replacing it anyways, you can always try to old "If you can stab a screwdriver through it, it's rotten" test. But that only works if A) you don't have tile, and B) you're already planning on replacing any linoleum (or whatever else you've got on top of the subfloor). Dylan...hates plumbing

12-07-2009, 07:08 AM	#2
Jess Timed Out - Permanent How Do You Identify?: decidedly indifferent Preferred Pronoun?: other Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Patrick Springs, VA Posts: 2,812 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,247 Thanked 5,700 Times in 1,682 Posts Rep Power: 0	Great thread! Thanks Kimbo for getting it started! Sorry to hear about your water pressure issues. We have taken on the joys of an older home also ( circa 1850's) which has been updated in interesting manifestations over the years. This includes the labyrinth of pipes and fittings under it. Most of the copper has been replaced, however it wasn't replaced with the size pipes that provide for better pressure so we will be changing those all out this spring. The size of your pipes may have something to do with it, along with what has been mentioned earlier in the metal decay itself. We just replaced the gauge on the water holding tank and the nipple was totally clogged going into the filter. We are on a well, so I'm not sure if you even have a tank, so that may not be something you can check. Repairing those two things increased our pressure 3X. Good luck and I hope it turns out to be something manageable for you!

12-07-2009, 07:38 AM	#3
Novelafemme Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: ........ Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: ........ Posts: 2,402 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,981 Thanked 8,925 Times in 1,834 Posts Rep Power: 0	Hey Kimbo JAGG is the honorary DIY home flipper...I think you have his number...give him a call! He loves to talk shop I do remember the galvanized pipes nightmare. My ex recently tore out the 1912 plumbing in his bathroom and it was exactly as Dylan said...rotted from the inside in. Looked like water logged tree roots that had been eatten by termites...YUCK! That can for sure affect your water pressure.

12-07-2009, 11:17 AM	#4
christie Member How Do You Identify?: A Force with which to be reckoned Preferred Pronoun?: just be nice... Relationship Status: I call her Mine Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Transplanted to the PNW Posts: 1,246 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,552 Thanked 2,476 Times in 706 Posts Rep Power: 14753262	Yay for the DIYers! Our new countertops are FINALLY in! I cant WAIT to be rid of the existing country blue ones! As per usual, I am expecting what should be fairly straightforward to be ANYTHING but... By the end of the day, we will have shiney newness and hopefully Jess won't have too much more "tinsel" at hys temples! Wish us luck! Christie