You step into the shower to wash off your troubles. But instead of a refreshing gush, what you get is a trickle. How frustrating! Low water pressure in your pipes can be very frustrating and can impact your daily life. Be it your showerhead, faucets, dishwasher, or your washing machine, low water pressure is no fun and needs to be fixed. But there can be many reasons why the water pressure in your pipes is not strong enough. Let’s look at some other common causes behind this and simple ways to help you solve the problem.
But before we dive into it, here’s an interesting fact about water pressure that you must know. The typical water pressure in households ranges between 45 to 55 psi. Of course, these figures depend on several factors like the condition of the plumbing system, the local water booster’s efficiency, and the elevation of the residence. If the water pressure falls to below 40 psi, then your home’s getting low pressure.
Six Ways to Fix Low Water Pressure
Low Water Supply
Before you check anything else in your home, ask your neighbors to check if you are the only one with low water pressure. If other homes around you are facing the same problem, check with your local city water supplier about the low water pressure.
Leaky Pipes and Faucets
A water leak is one of the more common reasons behind low water pressure. Unfortunately, it’s also hard to find the leak unless you can see the water puddling somewhere or seeping through a wall. Nevertheless, a neglected leak is inconvenient and can cause significant damage to your property and can result in wasting water. So how do you fix it? Look for any damp patches and listen for dripping sounds. You could also turn off all the faucets in the house and record the reading in the water meter. If it shows an increase in the reading after a few hours you could have a leak somewhere. Remember though, leaks in your plumbing may not be a DIY project and you might need professional plumbing service.
Partially Open Valves
Another common reason for low water pressure is when a valve is not opened fully leading to reduced water flow. It could also be because the valve is damaged or broken. Check all the valves in your home, including the main shut-off valve and the metered valve, to make sure they are fully open, and also for any damages. It is not too hard to check the main shut-off valve, where the water supply enters your home, on your own. Whether it has a lever or a circular handle, turn the valve all the way closed before you turn it all the way open to get the water flowing. A circular valve should be turned completely counter clockwise, and if it’s a lever then it should be parallel to the water pipe. If you suspect that the problem lies with a metered valve, it might be a good idea to contact your water supplier.
Salt Deposits in Plumbing
The water supply in some residential areas could contain salts and minerals in large quantities that form whitish deposits both inside and on your plumbing fixtures. This reduces the water flow over time. Keep your shower heads and faucets salt free, making sure you do it regularly to remove and prevent mineral build-up. If you are a homeowner, then you could install a water softener to reduce the amount of mineral build-up in your plumbing.
Faulty Pressure Regulator
Every household has a pressure regulator that helps maintain an ideal water pressure. With normal wear and tear the regulator can begin to fail allowing too much or too little water pressure. If this happens, you will need to continuously adjust the regulator to get the optimum water pressure. A word of caution. Too much water pressure could damage your pipes, so make sure you tighten the screw only as much as needed.
Corroded or Clogged Pipes
Older properties are likely to have damaged plumbing such as blocked or corroding pipes that will reduce the flow of water. Moreover, corrosion could discolor and contaminate your water entirely. So there may not be a quick fix to this problem and you will need to contact a professional plumber and use services like trenchless pipe replacement .
And if your pipes are clogged, you could try a gentle chemical solution – easily available in stores – to dissolve and flush out whatever is causing the blockage. If it doesn’t solve the problem, then make sure you bring in a professional. It is best not to use strong chemicals as that too could contaminate your water.
Fixing low water pressure in your home can be frustrating but it is a problem that cannot be ignored. Be patient and spend time to first identify the underlying cause behind the reduced pressure. The good news is that you are not alone. Professional plumbers are just a call away to help you fix your problem, whatever it might be, and restore a healthy water pressure throughout your house.