What to Do About Low Water Pressure?
Have you found it’s becoming more and more difficult to fill your sink, or that you just aren’t getting
enough pressure when you take a shower? Is your washer taking longer than usual to run through a cycle? Having low water pressure in your home may seem like a hassle, but it can also be the sign of a serious plumbing problem.
Here’s some more information about low water pressure issues and how to narrow down the severity of the problem.
What causes low water pressure?
In general, water pressure is dependent on potential energy. Water pressure may naturally be higher or lower depending on something as simple as geography. For instance, it may be low if you are on a rural well, if you live far from the water supply, or if you are at a higher elevation. Generally, if the water has to “work” harder to get to you, the pressure will be naturally lower.
However, if you are noticing a significant change in your water pressure, it could point to signs such as broken water lines, burst pipes, clogged drains, and more.
Structural Problems
Water must flow freely through the pipes, and anything that gets in the way of this can lead to low water pressure. Structural abnormalities may take the form of corrosion, mineral deposits, or closed valves.
Older pipes like copper or galvanized steel pipes may be more prone to corrosion than newer pipes and should be replaced by a plumber. Mineral deposits are also common in this type of piping.
Valves may be opened or closed by accident and should be checked if you think you have a problem. Check the meter box which is usually located near the water hose faucet and make sure that it’s fully on.
Water Leaks
Anything that causes a pipe to leak can lead to low water pressure. You can use the meter to determine whether or not there is a leak in your house pipes (rather than the main water line), simply by turning off all taps for a couple of hours and see if the meter has moved. If you think you have a burst pipe, you should call a certified plumber right away.
What should I do if I have low water pressure?
If you suddenly have extremely low water pressure that is occurring in different areas of the house, this is cause for concern as it could indicate a major leak. If you can’t tell the cause of the water pressure drop in general, even if it’s gradual, but it seems to be all over the house, that’s also a good time to call a professional right away.
Inspecting your house for leaks would be an important thing to do in this instance, as would be making sure all of the fixtures are tightly closed.
Do I need a plumber to fix low water pressure?
Big problems can arise if your low water pressure is due to bad pipes, a serious blockage or another type of leak. Low water pressure may be happening in just one fixture, in which case it is typically easy to fix. But if it’s happening all over the house, it’s likely time to call a plumber.
If you are experiencing low water pressure in your home and are looking for some help, don’t hesitate to call. Drain Rescue Plumbers is standing by 24/7 to help you with all of your plumbing problems.Call or message us anytime for more information.