So, you turn on the faucet in the shower and only two little streams of water come out of the showerhead. Then, you sigh at the thought of how long it’s going to take just for you to wash your hair. Or, when you turn on the sink faucet and, instead of a stream of water, a few drips come out. Low water pressure is the culprit of this problem, but, luckily, there are ways to solve this problem. First, it is important to understand what the causes of low water pressure can be. Some of these causes can be:
- Pressure regulators
- Elevation
- Home valves
- Water leaks
- Mineral deposit build-up
Identifying what is causing the problem is the first step toward properly repairing it. Although, in some cases, you will simply have troubleshoot the problem by exploring all of the possible causes and making the necessary repairs.
Replacing Pressure Regulators
A pressure regulator is a water device shaped like a bell. The regulator is usually found below the hose connection in the front of your home, though it may be located in a different area depending upon the construction of your home.
If the pressure regulator goes bad or stops working, it may cause low water pressure in some or all of the water fixtures in your home. This is one plumbing problem that is better left to the professionals, however, when it comes to making a repair. A plumber can easily replace or fix a regulator at a reasonable cost to you. On the other hand, homeowners who try to tackle this problem on their own can create a bigger problem. In the long run, this will cost even more money for you to fix.
Changing Your Elevation
The elevation of the water storage tank can also affect water pressure. If your home is located hire than your tank, you might experience some problems with water pressure. Take advantage of gravity and make sure your water storage tank is located higher than the home. This helps the water flow faster and easier, giving you greater water pressure.
Turning Your Home Valves
Valves turn, which means these valves sometimes get accidentally moved or turned off without the homeowner realizing it. There is usually a main water valve in a home. If this main water valve is not shut off or if it is not completely turned on, it will affect all of the water flow in the home. Be sure the main water valve is completely turned on if you are having a water pressure problem.
Repairing Water Leaks
Cracks or damage to water pipes can cause water leaks. Water leaks can cause low water pressure because not all of the water is making its way to your faucet. Some of it is leaking through the cracked or damaged pipe. Check your pipes for damage or leaks. A trick to figuring out if you have a leak is to shut off the water valve in your home and mark down the meter reading showing on your water meter. Come back two hours later and read the water meter reading again. If the water usage has increases, then you have a leak.
Taking Care of Mineral Deposit Build-Ups
Over time, pipes can experience mineral deposit build-ups. These build-ups clog faucets and showerheads, preventing full water pressure. Try cleaning out the faucet heads and showerheads in your home to see if this alleviates the low water pressure problem. If this does not resolve the problem and you believe it is a mineral deposit build-up causing your low water pressure, then you may have to call a professional plumber to assess and correct the problem.
Hiring a Pro
You can try to diagnose your low water pressure problem on your own and test solutions to see if it resolves the problem. The bottom line is, if you cannot correct the problem on your own then you are going to have to hire a professional plumber. There are also problems that you just cannot resolve on your own no matter how much of a do-it-yourselfer you are. Erosion of your pipes, major blockage problems, or major leaks are all problems better left to the pros.