Water Pipe replacement to improve flow rate

goober76

Hi All

I wish to replace the current water pipe from the street stopcock to my property to the new 32mm "blue" pipes in order to improve the flow rate (at the moment - if someone turns on the tap whilst I'm having a shower - the rate pretty much slows to a trickle).

I'm told there is a way to do this without having to dig up the entire driveway ("impact moling"?).

Has anyone ever had this kind of work done?
Did it make an impact to the flow rate?
Could you recommend any good companies (London area)??

Sorry for the questions - I've tried googling answers but with minimal luck!!

Thanks in advance!

rxbren

the digless moles can cause alot of damage they simply dig a hole and bore in a straight line so any services in the way can be damaged

as for the flow rate im not sure some of the plumbers will be able to answer that but in my opinion i doubt it would make a big difference for what it will cost
a smaller pipe will have more pressure but a large pipe will be able to flow more although this will all depend on what pressure the water main in the street is

keystone

goober76 wrote: »

I wish to replace the current water pipe from the street stopcock to my property to the new 32mm "blue" pipes in order to improve the flow rate (at the moment - if someone turns on the tap whilst I'm having a shower - the rate pretty much slows to a trickle).

The problem might actually lie within your property and the expense of laying a new supply pipe make zero difference.

So can you say something about your DHW system configuration including boiler make model details and do you know what the pressure currently being delivered by the water company actually is?

Lets see if we can find out what the problem is before deciding a solution.

Cheers

keystone

rxbren wrote: »

the digless moles can cause alot of damage they simply dig a hole and bore in a straight line so any services in the way can be damaged

Thats always a risk.

a smaller pipe will have more pressure but a large pipe will be able to flow more although this will all depend on what pressure the water main in the street is

Actually no. The pressure at the end of a 10 inch pipe will be the same as the pressure at the end of a 15mm pipe. One key point is what is the pressure currently being delivered to the property as asked above.

Cheers

mart.vader

See reply to your other post

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4212215

You should be aware that replacing the current pipe with 32mm will not increase the pressure, nor will it provide a better flow if the connection from the main to your pipe is still in 22mm.

There might be lots of reasons why your shower is feeble. There could be a leak on the supply, the pipe might be internally corroded, a valve might be partly shut, or you might be on the top floor of a house with ten flats, all attempting to get a supply from an old 1/2" lead pipe.