Showers are supposed to be one of the most relaxing parts of your day, right? Washing dishes should be completed efficiently and quickly… right? Unfortunately, When your water pressure isn’t performing at its fullest potential, these daily tasks can become frustrating.
So, what’s causing your water pressure to be less than subpar? Let’s dig into some of the reasons why it might take you double the time to rinse that sudsy shampoo out of your hair.
BLOCKAGES
An easy way to identify if your blockages are due to a mineral or debris build-up, is if only one or a select few appliances have low water pressure. With minerals in the water (along with various other debris), build-ups can naturally occur over a period of time. Once this form of matter has settled, it limits how much water can effectively flow through the pipes and into the actual fixture itself.
WATER LEAKAGES
When there is a leak involved, water is lost through cracks or holes during its journey from the pipes to the appliance. By the time that water reaches you, the amount produced is drastically reduced.
VALVES
There are some other common explanations to this question, such as a closed shut-off valve. Checking your main shut-off valve to ensure that it’s open is a fast-track tip.
Another type of valve would be the main shut-off valve, which is responsible for the water flow coming into your house. Typically found in the basement, garage, on an exterior house wall, or in an underground box, this valve gives direct access to your supply. When your main valve is not fully open, you will have a depletion of pressure.
Did you have work done on your plumbing not too long ago? Do you feel like the water pressure isn’t the same? This could be a result of a semi-closed water meter valve. Since this valve belongs to a water company and is not usually used by anyone except the professionals themselves, it might not be fully open after the plumbers have worked on your water system.
PRESSURE REGULATOR
Unfortunately, faulty pressure regulators do exist. If your home doesn’t have a pressure regulator, then you are exempt from this common issue. This feature is a control valve that keeps your plumbing system safe from causing harm to your pipes. For the houses that experience low water pressure, a regulator that is failing can lead to extremities in pressure (both high and low). With a failed regulator, the outcome is an immediate reduction in the power of your water.
STEEL WATER PIPES
There is no easy way to say it… the biggest (as well as the most costly) issue to face is worn out steel pipes. When steel pipes are old and corroded from within, it is a result from a gradual deterioration of materials and scale build-up. Despite not being able to see the corrosion, overtime it will begin to block off access to your water flow. Since this takes many years to formulate, the dissipation of pressure won’t be drastic.
A home that is older can come with some baggage upon moving into it. If steel pipes are involved, there might already be a decent amount of build-up that needs immediate special attention. We recommend resolving this matter with urgency so it doesn’t escalate the problem. The only way to fix such an issue is to replace the pipes with a new system made of copper or plastic materials. While this isn’t what anyone wants to deal with, having a new pipe system will solve the low water pressure issue in terms of corroded pipes.
WATER USAGE
You might get along just fine with your neighbors, but your water supply is singing another tune. If your neighbors are using water during the same times as you are, there could be a lack of pressure from extra use. If there’s a common theme of every neighbor having low pressure, your municipal water supply might be taking a hit. A call to your supplier to inform them would be in everyone’s best interest.
Having low water pressure is often thought to be an unrepairable circumstance. Thankfully, dealing with an obnoxiously slow stream of H2O can be solved. Life is too short to live it in frustration with your water! At Graydon Faulstick plumbing, we are ready and equipped to quickly identify your pressure system issues. You can reach us at 570-992-0447 or 610-381-4171 for more information.
