Elbows and tees reduce pressure

Plumbing · Flow and Pressure · printed page 259 (PDF page 260)

Book index entries

Plumbing – Elbows and T’s Reduce Pressure Supply Plumbing – Elbows and T’s Reduce Pressure Flow and Pressure of Water in Supply Plumbing Supply Plumbing – Flow and Pressure Water Flow – and Pressure in Supply Plumbing

Text in the illustration

35 PSI
basin
32 PSI
each elbow and tee creates a pressure loss (due to friction) equivalent to several feet of pipe
convoluted piping arrangements can reduce water supply
water supply from street

Generated explanation

A schematic house section shows water supply piping entering from the street and serving fixtures on two levels. Magnified faucet details indicate 35 PSI at the upper basin and 32 PSI at the lower fixture. The lower fixture supply includes a convoluted piping route with multiple changes in direction, highlighted by a dashed circle. Annotations explain that elbows and tees create frictional pressure losses equivalent to several feet of pipe and that convoluted piping arrangements can reduce water supply.

Components

water supply piping elbow fittings tee fittings faucets basin supply shutoff valve

Defects shown

convoluted water supply piping arrangement reduced supply pressure due to friction through fittings