Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure is a common complaint that we hear often, especially in older homes.   Water pressure is a subjective subject, good water pressure for one may not be good pressure for someone else.  We will try to clear up a few misconceptions on water pressure as it relates to the residential plumbing system and the correlation between pressure and flow. 

Low water flow to fixtures in the home can be caused by numerous factors.  Often times the low pressure at a faucet is caused by low water flow throughout the homes plumbing supply system.  If there isn’t a large enough supply of water to the supply system there is no way to get adequate pressure to the individual faucets or fixtures.  For example, a 3/4″ water supply pipe that is feeding four faucets at the same time will not produce the same amount of pressure at the faucet as a 1 1/4″ supply pipe connected to the same plumbing system.

The first things we need to look at when diagnosing low flow are the water pressure into the home and the size of the main water supply pipe into the home.  Plumbing code in most areas state that the water pressure into the home should be a stabilized 40 to 80 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch).

With all faucets and fixtures turned off, the water pressure should be recorded.  If the pressure is within the normal range, this indicates that the water pressure into the home is adequate.  The problem is mostly likely a flow problem and not a pressure problem.

If the pressure is below the normal range, you have isolated the problem to a water pressure problem.  There are numerous things that could cause this low water pressure.

Examples of low water pressure cause:

• Low pressure from utility
• Leak in a water supply pipe
• Partially closed shutoff valve
• Mineral buildup in pipes

One common misconception is that increasing the water pressure into the home will drastically increase the water flow at the faucets.  While this can sometimes help, it can be at the expense of the components in the plumbing system.  Pressure over 80 PSI can cause numerous problems with faucets, water hammer, pipe joints etc.

If the water pressure is good and you still have low water pressure to individual water faucets the problem could be harder to repair.  There are a few reasons you could be having low water flow to the faucets:

Examples of reasons for low water flow:

• Diameter of water main too small
• Water supply pipes clogged with minerals
• Leak in supply pipes
• Shutoff valve partially closed for that faucet

If these issues are found we suggest contacting a licensed plumber here in the St. Louis Area. 

To contact us, please call us at 314-308-6489

or email at hjardine@amerispec.net

www.thejardineoffice.com 

Dryer Vent Safety

We know that Dryer Vent safety is important, but do you know why? The following information should give you some insight as to why this innocent appliance.        The How’s and Whys of a Dryer Fire    A clothes dryer works by forcing hot air through a turning drum. Wet clothes placed in the drum are then dried by the moving hot air. It is possible for a full load of wet clothes to contain as much as one and a half gallons of water. Lint is created from the clothes as the water is removed and the clothes dry. While much of the lint is trapped by the dryer's filter, lint also is carried through the venting system, together with moist air.  The accumulation of lint, both in the dryer and in the dryer vent, reduces the airflow and creates a highly flammable fuel source. In addition to the accumulation of lint, blockage in dryer exhaust vents also can occur from the nests of small birds and animals or from bends in the venting system itself. A compromised vent will not exhaust properly to the outside. Overheating may result. If enough heat is produced to ignite the lint itself or nearby combustible items, such as the clothes in the dryer or combustibles left nearby, the engineered safety mechanisms are compromised and fire ensues. Leading Factors Contributing to Residential Building Dryer Fires Proper maintenance for clothes dryers involves removing the lint from the traps, vents, and surrounding areas of the dryer. Not unexpectedly, the leading factor contributing to ignition for dryer fires is operation deficiencies - specifically "failure to clean." Failure to clean accounts for 70% of dryer fire operational deficiency contributing factors. Other leading factors contributing to dryer fires include "mechanical failure," "electrical failure," and "misuse of material or product." A clothes dryer that has to work harder to evacuate lint and moisture can trigger enough heat to cause some dryer components to malfunction and can sometimes produce sparks or even flames. The overheating can sometimes produce enough heat to ignite lint or other nearby combustibles.    Clothes Dryer Venting Systems For optimal venting the exhaust should vent directly outside the house. Flexible foil vents are not the best choice for venting clothes dryers and really not recommended. Flexible vents can sag, allowing lint to build up and catch on fire if it comes in contact with a sufficient amount of heat. If a fire starts beneath the dryer when the motor overheats, then the drafts from the dryer can pull that fire up into the duct and venting allowing a house fire to develop. Using smooth sided metal vents is much safer and is recommended. Conclusion In most cases, clothes dryer fires can be prevented. "Failure to clean" is the number one factor contributing to clothes dryer fires, followed by mechanical and electrical failure. Clogged dryer vents occurring from lint buildup may make the dryer operate incorrectly and raise the temperature of the dryer machinery high enough to ignite lint or nearby combustibles. The exhaust vent should be as short as possible and have limited bends to allow sufficient airflow. Improper items placed in the dryer, such as plastic, foam, or other synthetic materials also can increase the risk of fire. Make sure to follow the recommended safety tips for operating clothes dryers safely. The photo below is a clogged dryer vent just waiting to be a hazard.    In particular, by following installation guidelines and performing regular inspections on dryer vents, consumers can protect themselves further from clothes dryer fires. Depending on the frequency of use, how long the vent is, or the age and type of dryer used, dryer vents need inspection on average every 2 to 3 years. If you do not feel comfortable cleaning or inspecting the dryer vent yourself, you can call a duct cleaning service.

Just a thought

Did you ever wonder about Federal Pacific Electrical Panels? Ever wonder why some inspectors recommend their replacement? We thought we would share some information regarding the FPE so you will have a better understanding of the problems associated with these types of Electrical Panels.

Federal Pacific Electrical Stab-Lok Panels were used from the 50's to the early 80's. After years of use, electricians and most home inspectors found FPE panels failed to protect the homeowners and their families. They appeared to work as intended, but if one over current or short circuit occurred it was found they could become fire hazards and overheat.

There was a class action lawsuit and a New Jersey State Court found that the FPE Company had " violated the Consumer Fraud Act because FPE knowingly and purposely distributed circuit breakers which were not tested to meet UL standards...." An expert who investigated the potential hazards of these panels stated that under UL 489 test conditions, the FPE panels failed trip to at a much higher rate than other panels.

The whole point having an electrical panel is for the circuit breaker or fuse to trip and and stop the current. This may not happen with a Federal Pacific Panel.

When The Jardine AmeriSpec Office professionals are inspecting a home with an FPE, we always recommend a licensed electrician review the panel for safety. For more information click here and go to our website.