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You may be unaware of how much you rely on water until there’s a problem, such as low water pressure. This particular issue can negatively affect your family’s quality of life at home.
When the water pressure is insufficient, everything from showering to dishwashing to doing the laundry becomes more time-consuming and frustrating.
Are you baffled by the unexplainable low water pressure in your home? Here are several of the most common causes of that problem and how to diagnose and address them:
1. Fixtures That Have Not Been Used For An Extended Period
Low water pressure can emerge over time as a result of defective fixtures. Mineral deposits such as rust, limestone, and sediment might clog and render the fixture inoperable. This may lead to a decrease in both water pressure and water quality. That could be the case for you if you notice that only one or two fixtures in your home don’t have adequate water pressure. If you have an outdated well pump, you can either try to fix it yourself or turn to companies like EPP Well Solutions LLC to help you restore the water pressure.
Turn on the fixtures individually, paying particular attention to how well the water flows. Cleaning and unclogging any screens or aerators in your faucets is a good idea. When a screen or aerator becomes clogged, the component may need to be replaced. If the area’s completely clear of barriers, the fixture itself may be jammed. If this is the case, you can empty or replace it manually.
If you’re replacing the entire fixture, see to it that you get it right. After removing the existing faucet, measure the distance between the two outside holes. A six-inch or larger gap suggests the need for a wider tap. You must manually connect the mixing tee to the faucet’s two valves.
2. An Issue With The Pressure Regulator
A pressure regulator isn’t included in all plumbing systems, so if you don’t have it, one of the other causes of low water pressure listed below may be the culprit. This device controls the amount of water that enters your home, extending the life of your pipes. Connect a pressure gauge to the hose fixture outside your home to verify that your pressure regulator is correctly detecting or reporting water pressure.
When the water’s switched on, check to see if the pressure gauge reading falls below the specified value for the pressure regulator. If this is the case, the regulator will certainly need to be replaced. If you’re unsure whether you can inspect your plumbing pipes on your own, a competent plumber can save you time and help you avoid stress.
3. Clogged Pipes
One of the most common causes of low water pressure in homes is a clogged pipe. If the blockage isn’t in the pipes that can be seen beneath your sink, it has likely gone deeper into the sewage system. Clogs in sewer systems can be caused by a range of tiny to large obstructions that hinder the passage of waste and water.
It’s highly advisable for you to have a professional plumber inspect your sewer system for clogs. This would allow you to steer clear of the need for different piping components to be disassembled and reassembled, which might result in cross-contamination. Additionally, avoid pouring caustic substances into the pipes where your drinking water comes from.
4. Corrosive Pipes
How knowledgeable are you about the plumbing system in your home? Is it an old system or a contemporary addition to the house? What materials were used to build it? Galvanized steel pipes have an expiration date. Corrosion can begin as soon as 20 years after galvanized steel pipes are installed. Copper pipes should have a minimum life span of 50 years, but brass pipes should last anywhere from 40 to 70 years.
Corrosion is a more common occurrence in older homes. Because most modern pipes aren’t galvanized steel, which means they can survive for decades, changing pipes may be necessary for older homes that haven’t been updated.
Corrosion might be an issue if you added other plumbing components to your home after having the structure built, such as a second bathroom or a washing machine. When plumbing fittings are connected to an already completed house, it’s customary to lengthen the pipe’s branch lines. Otherwise, these pipe components would deteriorate faster and operate at a higher rate.
Additionally, corrosion is almost indistinguishable from the exterior. It’d be beneficial to ascertain the age of the plumbing from previous owners or city records.
5. Ruptured Pipes
If you have a flooded basement or foundation, you should already know your pipes are leaking. On the other hand, a severe leak is rarely accompanied by a decline in water pressure. Even though everything appears to be functioning normally, the leak is diverting your water supply, preventing you from receiving the total flow of water.
Locate wet areas or pools of water if you have access to your pipes. Determine which pipe is leaking and make necessary repairs immediately.
Turn off the water supply and carefully dry the faulty pipe’s exterior first. Secure a rubber patch around the broken or corrupted pipe section using electrical tape and a pipe repair clamp. This won’t permanently solve the issue, but it may just avert further damage for a few days.
But even if a temporary fix has been applied, contact a plumber at once. Leaky pipes may wreak havoc on the structure of your home and contaminate your drinking water.
Easy Solutions To Fix Low Water Pressure
Aside from the tips given above, here are other easy solutions you can consider to get rid of your water pressure problems:
1. Determine Your Current Level Of Pressure
Check the city water pressure with a test gauge linked to a hose before contacting your local water company. Connect the device to a hose faucet and activate it after turning off all other taps and water-using appliances in your home.
2. Keep A Vigilant Eye Out For Any Potential Leaks
Water leaks produced by broken or damaged pipes can drain your pipes completely, leaving only a trickle of water in the faucet. To determine if your main water line’s damaged, shut off all taps inside and outside your home, shut off the main water valve, and record the reading on your water meter. After two hours, reread the meter. A surge in value would indicate the likelihood of a leak and that it’s time to contact a professional.
Consider upgrading to higher-quality plastic or copper pipes rather than galvanized steel pipes, which corrode more rapidly. It’s not necessary for you to perform this task; pipe replacement is best left to a qualified plumber. While replacing your shower pipes is a significant expense, it will significantly improve your showering experience.
Repairing outdated plumbing can help reduce the likelihood of corrosives entering your drinking water, resulting in higher-quality water as well as increasing pressure and minimizing the risk of additional leaks.
3. Clean Faucets With Vinegar
If your sink faucet‘s flow rate is poor, it’s most likely due to scale buildup in the faucet valve or aerator. In this case, unscrew the aerator, and then soak it overnight in vinegar. Replace the aerator and turn on the faucet. If the water pressure doesn’t improve, it’s necessary to disassemble the faucet entirely.
Remove the faucet valve following disassembly and soak it in vinegar overnight. Before immersing the valve, remove all rubber washers and gaskets. These are basic procedures you can easily handle. Before dismantling the aerator or faucet, check to see if the shutoff valve beneath the sink has been partially turned off.
Additionally, low water flow concerns in the shower or tub can be resolved with the same method. If the issue is with your shower, remove the showerhead and soak it in vinegar. If this doesn’t work, clean the shower valve.
4. Replace Corroded Piping
Galvanized pipes can also cause flow difficulties—corrosion results in the narrowing of such pipelines. Due to the decreased inner diameter, the water flow will be reduced.
If the pipes have deteriorated to the point where the water pressure in the faucets becomes insufficient, it’s time to replace them. Substitute PEX, CPVC, or copper pipes for them. A plumber may be required for the replacement project.
5. Inspect The Water Meter Valves
A partially opened valve could be the cause of low water pressure in your residence. When work on the house’s pipes is performed, valves are periodically turned off and not wholly reopened throughout the procedure.
To locate the valve, you must first identify your water meter. Metal plates are commonly seen in driveways and yards, beneath sinks, and above-ground pipes outside your home. This type of valve is referred to as a shutoff valve. This valve may take the form of a flower-shaped knob or a rubber-covered valve tab painted in vivid color. If the valve is tab-shaped, it must be parallel to the pipe. If the valve is formed like a flower, turn it to the left.
Takeaway
Problems with water pressure can affect anything from showers to dishwashing. Kindly notify your trusted plumber if you’ve had enough of dealing with poor flow. The sooner they address it, the less harm it will cause, and your water pressure will return to normal quickly.
After determining and resolving the cause, you should maintain a healthy water pressure balance in your home. However, keep in mind that extremely high water pressure isn’t a good thing, either, since it can result in costly plumbing concerns. To ensure that your water flows freely and properly, the right measures should be taken by everyone in your family.