How to Fix Low Water Pressure in a Home
Low water pressure can be highly frustrating, disrupt showers, and obstruct household chores. While slow drains and standing water usually points to a solution, low water pressure doesn’t immediately present a cause. Fixing this issue can take time, money, and some professional assistance along the way. Luckily, we’re here to shine more light on low pressure in the house and how to fix it.
What causes low water pressure?
Lower water pressure can have various causes, depending on how extensive the issue is and previous plumbing conditions.
Localized low pressure often means the pipes near those faucets sprung a leak or are clogged. In addition, since intake pipes have a constant water level, the minerals inside the water can deposit in the lines and slow them down over time.
If only the hot water has lower pressure, check the water heater or boiler for issues. Mineral deposits or broken pieces inside the heater are the primary concern, but sometimes the intake pipes can also be responsible.
However, if the entire house is experiencing low pressure, there might be a temporary municipal outage or a severe break in the main water line. In some cases, old homes can also share pipes with neighboring households. Check if your pressure dips when the neighbors take long showers.
Fixing low water pressure
The first thing to do is check the main water valve. If you’ve had recent repairs or renovations, the main valve might not have been fully opened when the work ended. Possible valve locations include in the basement, on the outside wall, or alongside the main intake pipe on the property.
We also recommend using the main valve to check for leaks. First, shut off the valve and record the current water meter reading. If the number changes after a few hours with the valve closed, there’s a leak inside a house that needs to be fixed. Leaks usually require professional plumbers to inspect the home and the main pipeline to repair or replace any leaking areas.
If the problem is not localized, check the municipal supply immediately for difficulties. Most often, issues beyond the household piping are fixed promptly and don’t require much attention.
When the low pressure is caused by sharing pipes with the neighbors, the only options are to adjust your schedule or remodel the pipework. The first option doesn’t cost a dime but may require shifting around some household tasks to take advantage of higher water pressure times.
If only the hot water is plagued by low pressure, flush the water heater or boiler to remove excess mineral deposits. Professional plumbers can do this without leaving a mess and inspect the heater for underlying issues.
For localized cold water problems, check the fixture and disassemble it to ensure it’s not clogged or broken. If this doesn’t work, you’ll need to consult a professional plumber to inspect the pipe feeding the faucet for leakage or deposits.
In most cases, low water pressure is a relatively simple problem to fix if caught on time. However, leaking pipes can lead to severe structural damage if left unchecked, and it’s best to call in the pros if the issue persists.
No Worries Rooter of Gilbert offers residential and commercial drain cleaning, leak detection and repair. We recommend Bio-Green drain care for customers who have slow drains caused by buildup in their pipes. Call us at (480) 405-4497.
