Tenant in Upper Floor has no Water in Shower when NEW Tenant in Main Floor uses the Shower

[Nir]

Hi All,

I have an issue that started soon after a new tenant moved into a unit that has been vacant for a few months:

The tenant from the upper apartment called me today to inform me he had no water in his shower when the New tenant from the apartment below used her shower to bath her child. The flow of water stopped in the middle completely, not just hot water or something. Then, as soon as the new tenant from main floor finished bathing her child, the tenant above had water again.

The hot water tank is more than 10 years old but I thought worked fine, has no leakage etc.

Is this most likely a water pressure issue or a hot water tank issue or both?

What is the most common solution for such a problem and who should I contact in this case (what profession)?

THANKS,
Neil

 

[NorthernAlex]

Neil, are you close to the units? I would check the words "have NO water"... as I noticed with my humble experience that tenants like to superlative.

This wouldn`t be a tank issue but more an piping issue if so! So plumber.

Here at my 60ish home I experience a bit the same. If I take a shower (upstairs in the master bathroom) and someone starts to wash his hands or flushes the toilette, the water pressure drops. Pipes to small in the diameter.

 

[Nir]

Thanks Alex, another simple thing I will check before calling a professional plumber is the valves - that they are completely open in all units and in the water tank.

Cheers,
Neil

 

[terri]

where is the property located and how old is it?

in older toronto homes it`s quite common to still have old lead pipes, water pressure is very bad. You can contact the city to see about replacing the pipes. the city of toronto has a 7 yr pan in which they will replace all the old lead pipes with 3/4 inch copper. priority is based on lead content in the water not water pressure and the city only covers the cost up to the property line, the home owner is responsible for paying the cost of replacement from the property line into the house.


Terri

 

[invst4profit]

It sounds like the downstairs bathroom is in direct line with the upstairs bath. If so then the solution may be to re plumb the upstairs around the downstairs bath so as to by pass the draw on the pressure.
This is assuming there is only a problem when the downstairs bath is being used. If pressure drops when toilet or kitchen water is used the problem is bigger than a in line pressure drop.
Your pipes may also be restricted with calcium or lime deposits and require replacing.

 

[Nir]

Thanks Terri, the property is not in Toronto and i suspect it is more an "internal" problem than city`s.

Thank you Greg for the Great advice! luckily, toilet or kitchen are not affected.
As mentioned I will try improving the pressure myself initially. if needed, luckily I know a great company there I can call for a professional assessment and repair if needed. they might repeat what you said but i hope not as it is not that cheap to re plumb the way you described.


Regards,
Neil