2 Quick Questions for the Wizards here

[oldpops]

Hello all! Hope everyone is doing great! Question #1) I have a press clamp (9" inch screw type) and It is missing the foot. I don't really want to have to buy a whole new clamp so I am hoping there s a place I can buy some parts (a new foot). See the attached picture to see a press clamp similar to mine with the metal food on the bottom. Anyone know where I can get parts? Or a useable substitute? Question #2) before I call a plumber out and spend money we don't have, I thought I would ask the folks here a general plumbing question: We have a 2002 southern California home, which is plumbed with PEX. We have terrible water pressure even though we have 60 pounds pressure at the hose spigot, which comes AFTER the pressure regulator valve in front of our house, so I don't think low pressure coming into the house is the issue. Anyway, the water pressure in our back bathroom, (at the furthest end of the house), plus the kitchen sink drops to very little coming out if someone flushes the front bathroom toilet. Also, the back bath shower water pressure drops to a trickle if the back toilet is flushed. We found the PEX manifold, laid down in the attic, under the insulation. Is this normal? Or is using the PEX and Manifold system supposed to eliminate this kind of thing? Will raising the water pressure help? What is the MAX PRESSURE 1/2" inch PEX lines can take? Anyway, I don't want to call & pay a plumber to come out and tell me it's normal/live with it. Again, many thanks in advance to all who offer help, suggestions and advice!

 

[Sturgeon]

I would pull preasure regulator valve, install a jumper and see if issue disappears. Could install a repair kit while your at it.

 

[Zeke]

RE: the plumbing; there is pressure and there is volume. Your volume seems low as the pressure is in the normal range. It could very well be lying to you, but the toilet flush symptoms point to under-sizing of some lines.

WRT the foot, I'd look at some jacks in cars at the junkyard. Or grab some washers and a square plate and start welding. Even JB weld would hold things together while not under pressure. One smaller washer opened up and slipped over the top of the ball end would serve as the keeper.

 

[ycgoat]

Is it a pillow block that allows the lead screw to rotate? https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...AbCzghcnO3P2rZkbfIoaAuWbEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[PoorUB]

Check the water pressure as close to the water main as you can. Flush a toilet, run some water and see what happens. If the pressure holds fairly steady, maybe a 5 PSI drop the main is ok and the house plumbing is to small going to the back bathroom.

 

[nadogail]

Flow restriction of some sort appears to be the cause of your plumbing complaint.

 

[CraigStu]

Flow restriction of some sort appears to be the cause of your plumbing complaint.

I agree. But unless there is a problem w/ a blockage somewhere I am not sure a fix is worth the effort. Preplacing the accessible pex in the attic w/ a larger size won't be too bad but getting that larger size all the way down the walls to the shower or sink won't be much fun.

 

[RPH]

I agree. But unless there is a problem w/ a blockage somewhere I am not sure a fix is worth the effort. Preplacing the accessible pex in the attic w/ a larger size won't be too bad but getting that larger size all the way down the walls to the shower or sink won't be much fun.

With the larger header installed. The flow restriction in the length of small pex is greatly reduced.
I agree it’s not the best solution but is doable and should help.

 

[oldpops]

Thanks everybody! I like the idea of finding something, perhaps off a jack or something similar, to wok on the screw press. I was hoping there was a parts house that carried the feet/press pad for a couple of bucks (plus shipping). And the idea of using washers and a metal plate is very interesting!. As to the plumbing, I feel stupid - all this time and I never thought about the volume of the water flow, just the water pressue.. The house is plumbed with 1/2 inch PEX, down from the attic so I don't know if the (1/2 OD) diameter of the PEX means that it isn't capable of delivering the needed water volume to the whole house (2300 sq-ft). Out here in CA, the builders throw these houses together as fast as they can, and as cheap as they can, to save money/maximize profit. Unless the house was bought by someone who stipulated (and paid) for every upgrade, the house would only come with the bare minimum.

 

[Mick56]

A foot for a c-clamp is readily available at many places, is that the same as what you need?

 

[oldpops]

A foot clamp may work as well. I've got a bunch around here so I will look.

 

[rancherbill]

... the kitchen sink drops to very little coming out if someone flushes the front bathroom toilet. ... if the back toilet is flushed.

As Zeke mentioned there are 2 things- pressure and flow.

Given the age of your house your sinks etc. have flow restrictors. It appears your toilets are fully open.

Turn the toilet shut off valve half closed and see what happens to the flow at the taps. The toilet will fill slower but that's not and issue.