howard villa

[valp58]

Ihave a 1976 howard villa double wide with a 10x32 add on.
the cold water surges then goes to a dribble. I think the cold water lines are galvinized, and need replacement. I am going to use cpvc. Do you think

I can increase the water pressure by just replacing the cold lines,i/e not the risers just the main lines and connect to the existing risers?
The coach is 24x64.

[David Oxhandler]

The problem of surging sounds more like a problem with the water system than the plumbing... It is possible that the old galvanized pipes have interior rust but that would tend to present a consistent blockage and pressure problem.

It is more likely that the pump or the pressure switch are failing. It is not unusual for pressure switches to have problems. The one on my home system had ants living in the pressure switch housing. When the contacts would close to turn on the pump a few ants would get caught between them and fried. The build up of dead ants eventually covered the points and insulated them preventing contact.

Getting my water to run consistently was as simple as shutting off the electric and using a small nail file to clean the points.

Take a look at your pressure gauge. Watch to see of the pressure level corresponds to the water surges.. If you cant detect the problem Call a local water system contractor and let him diagnose before you replace pipe lines that may still be doing a good job.

If you do need to change your water lines CPVC is my preference. "Today’s plumbing in manufactured homes can be described as ‘on the cutting-edge of technology.’ Because codes for site-built houses are strict and hard to change, mobile-home manufacturers are often the first to test new technology. Thanks to mobile home manufacturers, this country is now seeing a shift towards plastic waterlines -- more specifically, a shift to cross-linked polyethylene (pex)." See Understanding and Installing Manufactured Housing Waterlines

[valp58]

I am on city water, no pumps or switches. When I say surge the water comes on strong at first then goes to the dribble, also hot water does the same thing.
I was told by another coach owner that the pipes could have a blockage.
The main water line has plenty of pressure at the hose bibs, but not in the coach.
I have taken the coach wter supply line loose and there is plenty of pressure.