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Do you have low water pressure in all the fixtures in your home? If your home still has low flow even after you've checked for leaks and ensured that all the shut off valves are fully open, it could well be that your main water supply pipe is too small. Your water main supply runs between the municipal supply on the street and your home.
If you're going to be digging in this area, you need permission. In most places, several underground utilities run in proximity of your main water supply, and digging into it can cause serious damage, service disruption and even death to you or people around you. When you call the municipality, you could ask them to mark out the
location of your pipe and all the other utilities in nearby to help prevent any accidents.
You will also need a plumbing permit if you want to cut into or replace the water supply pipe. You have to be extremely cautious when performing this job, because your family drinks this water. Any contamination can cause illness, which is why you should flush the pipes for several minutes before you use the water, and use a sterilizer.
Do you have low water pressure in all the fixtures in your home? If your home still has low flow even after you've checked for leaks and ensured that all the shut off valves are fully open, it could well be that your main water supply pipe is too small. Your water main supply runs between the municipal supply on the street and your home.
If you're going to be digging in this area, you need permission. In most places, several underground utilities run in proximity of your main water supply, and digging into it can cause serious damage, service disruption and even death to you or people around you. When you call the municipality, you could ask them to mark out the
location of your pipe and all the other utilities in nearby to help prevent any accidents.
You will also need a plumbing permit if you want to cut into or replace the water supply pipe. You have to be extremely cautious when performing this job, because your family drinks this water. Any contamination can cause illness, which is why you should flush the pipes for several minutes before you use the water, and use a sterilizer.
6 Steps to Replacing Your Water Main Supply Pipe
If you live in an older home, you probably have galvanized iron water pipes. Over time, these pipes corrode from the inside, causing water pressure to lower. Before long, the pipe will start leaking, or it may break. Apart from adding to your water bill, it will eventually flood your lawn. With moderate plumbing and DIY experience, you can replace your water main supply with the help of a nice friend in 6 simple steps.
1. Dig a trench around the main water supply pipe all the way from the street to the house, and down to the depth of the existing pipe.
2. Get all your supplies. You will need to calculate the amount of new pipe you need, as well as connectors and fittings. If your old water main supply used 3/4" galvanized pipe, upgrade ot 1" PVC schedule 40 pipe. Also remember to buy PVC primer and glue.
3. Consider wrapping the new pipe in insulating pipe, especially in the places where the pipe is exposed. You may leave the old pipe in the ground, if you wish.
4. Shut off the water main before disconnecting the old pipe at the meter and near the house. Expect some water to enter your trench as it flows from the house pipes.
5. Place the new PVC pipe into the trench. You can use PVC glue and connectors between the lengths of pipe, and attach the pipe on either side using the new fittings.
6. Now turn on your main water supply and check if you can see any leaks. If not, you're good to go! Fill in that trench. If you do see leaks, you will have to repair it first.
Job well done? Great! Pour yourself a cold one and enjoy your new leak-free water line and good water pressure. Remember, Anta Plumbing is just a phone call away, if you need us.
