Lost water pressure after installing a frost free faucet

Question

I just had a plumber install two frost free faucets at my home. The water pressure has dropped almost to half of what it was... I have called the plumber to ask if that is normal, I would also like a second opinion. Is this normal, - if not - what can I do to get the pressure back?

Answer 1

zenophryk has the right idea. There's nothing about the faucet itself (called a frost-proof faucet) that would cause a change in water pressure. FYI here's a quick video of what your plumber did to install the faucet:

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,...

However, anytime the plumbing system is worked on sediment and other debris can be stirred up or sometimes valves may not be returned to their original positions.  

Answer 2

Any time you shut the main water supply off - your water lines have a change in pressure and a big surge when turned back on. This can cause sediment on pipe walls to dislodge and get into waterstream and stop up faucets, washers, etc.,

Unscrew the small aerator on each faucet and let water flow out for a couple minutes.

Under your kitchen sink, bath sinks there should be a shut off valve.

Turn them on and off a couple of times with the faucet above open.

Take shower head off and let water flow out of angled pipe. If you know how to take shower valve out - do that.

All of your faucets depending on the style have a way to take them apart and flush out this sediment. That is all that is wrong with your water pressure. Let some water out of each frost proof hydrant you had installed also.

For those of you that have no clue what a frostproof hydrant is -

It has a long stem from the outside handle back to the valve. The valve is at the back of the stem inside the crawl space or basement. When you shut the handle off all the water in the hydrant tube drains out so it cannot freeze up. With the valve back under the crawl or in the basement - it's not exposed to the cold as much. But remember, if you leave a hose attached it will freeze up and bust your hydrant and water line.

Answer 3

What's a frost free faucet?Faucets don't frost.

Answer 4

are you talking about frost free hose spigots?  the instalation of any of that should not cause a drop in pressure.  however when any work is done on a plumbing system that has been undisturbed for a while it is possible for the work to loosen pipe sediments that will travel up to your faucets and clog the screens, making it seem like there is less pressure. (so clean out the screens)

the other possibility is that he never turned the water back on to full open.  the plumber probably turned off the water where it comes into the house, did the work, then opened it back up.  he may just not have opened it up all the way.  try finding the main valve and openeing it all the way

Answer 5

I would check the valves nearest your water meter, or pump. He would have had to shut off the entire house water to complete this, so he may have only opened the valve partially. Good luck.