How bad is it to have low water pressure?

[Stella_luna]

I really can't stand any more house drama . . . but here's the latest. We had the inspection today, and wow we hit the jackpot: radon, termites, water damage in the basement, and a million small things, but as those are all fixable, I'm most concerned about the fact that the hosue has very low water pressure. Do any of you have this problem? Is it awful? Is it unfixable? The inspector said it's a huge annoyance, but how?

I'm ready to back out, I think . . . is low water pressure a stupid reason? We've already sunk $500 into this house, and will be homeless come Nov. 10 if we don't buy it : . I've never been so depressed in my LIFE.

Sigh . . . it wouldn't be so bad if we weren't paying $420,000 for this hole in the ground . . . I DESPISE living in the Northeast .

[Pandora114]

Low water pressure is an annoyance, AND if you live in a cold climate can make it so your pipes freeze ALOT Faster. Fast flowing water, high pressure water = less likely to freeze. So, looks like you live in PA...yeah..low water pressure = not good at all.

[~Demeter~]

I couldn't read and not reply. I can remember the stress of buying a home.. I am not completely sure if low water pressure is fixable but I assume it would be. I know that where I live it is quite common to have low water pressure and most of the showerheads and things of that nature are actually made to reduce water pressure. Stinks when you just want to take a nice hot shower and have it beat on your back. I would ask your inspector what you can do to fix that or work with it. Don't stress too much the way I looked at it when we were buying our house was if it is meant to be it will be the more I seemed to stress the more frazzled and upset I would get by the little things.

[armonia]

Originally Posted by Stella_luna

radon, termites, water damage in the basement, and a million small things,has very low water pressure.

We've already sunk $500 into this house

$420,000 .

The $500 doesn't sound like a lot to lose in this case.

I couldn't imagine paying $420,000 for something that isn't perfect.

[Verity]

Low water pressure stinks. Good water pressure is in the top 5 on the list of things I miss most about my old house. I have no idea whether it's fixable. I don't think it is for us because we're on a well (which is a whole other level of yuckitude).

The water damage in the basement would kill that house for me, though. If it's had water in the basement once, it WILL happen again.

[kennedy444]

We don't have low water pressure but my SIL does and I can't stand it just when I visit her. Taking a shower is the WORST! After being at her house I actually checked the water pressure myself at my home before buying it.

You don't sound so excited about this house purchase (radon alone would kill it for me). With all the things the inspection found wrong, seems there are enough reasons to back out now. We've backed out of past home buying for lesser reasons and gotten our deposit back.

[Marsupialmom]

Can you get back into the house? Some times, ok it isn't unheard of that the low water pressure is actually the value at the streat or right inside the house being turned down

Next is there a mushy part in the yard were the water line is? If so you have a big issue and It would be a no way or marking way down. That line also could be in bad shape and why you have low water pressure that can be $$$$$ to fix. http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/aptrix/ofwat.../waterpressure

You can also have mineral build up in your lines. This could mean just about every water fixture and your water heater needs to be replaced.

This house really sounds like a money trap. Have you even priced out fixing this stuff?

[Mama Poot]

420K and it has RADON? Pass. Find another house and quick. That place sounds like a money pit and possibly something no one will want to buy from YOU in the future. The foundation is severely compromised in the house we live in. I adore this place and my aunt who owns it, but no way in heck will I buy it from her unless that basement is fixed.

[Nikki Christina]

we have low water pressure & its annoying...but not too bad
it was better the first few years we where here..but the last 3 its gotten worse

DH gave up on showers long ago ..ive always liked baths..so that dosent bother me
but i do miss hoping in the shower while DH was in there :

right now were in the process of selling the house to my FIL..not because of the water..we just want to leave this town. But dh said he cant wait to take showers again!

[Bartock]

Originally Posted by Mama Poot

420K and it has RADON? Pass. Find another house and quick. That place sounds like a money pit and possibly something no one will want to buy from YOU in the future. The foundation is severely compromised in the house we live in. I adore this place and my aunt who owns it, but no way in heck will I buy it from her unless that basement is fixed.

[georgia]

Run away! Run away!

Listen to your gut--not your brain---I know you're ready for the drama to be over, but IME, with the amount of problems you've listed that althought they can be fixed, the drama hasn't even begun. We've sadly been down that road. One thing leads to a really expensive another.

Low water pressure sucks. Yes, sometimes things can be mildly improved by fixing the valve thingie at the street, but it's my understanding there's only so much that can do. It's so nice to be able to actually rinse soap off of things....

At our most recent house (the house after buying a money-pit), I didn't listen to my instincts, and I've regretted it every day Hey, we're slow learners Run while you still can

[Treasuremapper]

I would back out. Too many things wrong -- the low water pressure is just icing on the cake and it will drive you nuts. Try flushing toilets, taking showers, washing dishes. Imagine doing it with a feeble trickle of water.

I agree with Georgia -- run while you can.

[Katana]

Originally Posted by inezyv

I would back out. Too many things wrong -- the low water pressure is just icing on the cake and it will drive you nuts. Try flushing toilets, taking showers, washing dishes. Imagine doing it with a feeble trickle of water.

I agree with Georgia -- run while you can.

:

But, if you're into multi-tasking, you can basically clean your house, all while waiting for the bath to fill.

Washing dishes with it, (do you have 2 hours to do this?) and having to plunger the toilet, like six times a day, no matter what's in there, on the other hand.

[Attila the Honey]

I would be extremely wary - water damage can cause loads of problems (mold, for starters). Radon? What is the fix for that? I've always heard it can be a sign of a fault foundation, which is a huge problem. Termites? Does that mean the entire house would have to be bombed with pesticides?

As for low water pressure, I think it would be absolutely essential that you find out WHY the pressure is low and how it can be remedied. It might be something simple, but it also might involve thousands of dollars in plumbing underground. *btdt and never want to again*.

You never, ever want to buy a house because your back is against the wall. Can you rent until you find a place that suits you? I would walk away and consider that $500 well spent, it quite possibly prevented you from buying a money pit.

[Yooper]

Run away.

Low water pressure is not a biggie for me but the rest of the items on your list would have me running out the door at break neck speed.

[Irishmommy]

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