Are you experiencing low water pressure in your home? If this aggravating situation is affecting one or more taps in the home, you need plumbing services from trusted local plumbers. Luckily, the majority of low water pressure problems don't include an expensive repair bill, especially if you get the problem looked at right away.
Here are 5 common reasons that homeowners experience low water pressure.
Main Water Source
Before you call a plumber, call the city. Sometimes the problem is with the municipal water supply. There might be an issue with the city's end of the water line that's causing low pressure in your home. Often, during water hydrant testing, homes in the vicinity of the hydrant experience temporary pressure loss. Once the testing is completed, everything goes back to normal.
Well Issues
Do you live in a neighborhood that receives water from a community well? It's not uncommon for wells to get low when there is a water shortage, especially in the summer during times of high drought. Wells also have parts that can go bad and need replacement. If your home is serviced by a well, check with your neighbors. Are they having the same issues? If the answer is yes, check with the person who handles the well maintenance to look into the matter.
Leaks
Once you determine that the problem is inside your home and your responsibility, the next possible cause is a leak. Most people who have low water pressure because of a leak discover this is the first sign of a potentially serious issue. These types of leaks often happen beneath slab foundations, in homes with and without basements. If you notice hot spots on the floor or signs of water damage as well as low water pressure, call a plumber right away. You need immediate leak detection services to get the situation under control before additional water damage occurs and costs skyrocket.
Clogs
Blocked pipes are notorious for causing low water pressure. While clogs cause sinks and toilets to back up, pipes also contain buildup that prevents water from getting to faucets and toilets. Unlike regular clogs, this type of blockage often happens because the water pipe has corroded and rust formed in a way that makes it hard for water to pass into the home. Talk with a plumber to decide the best way to handle this situation. It's likely you'll need to replace a section of pipe.
Plumbing Add-Ons and High-Water Usage
Have you recently added an additional plumbing appliance to the home, like a water filter or water softener? Sometimes, when these appliances are in use, they cause low water pressure issues.
Also, consider how much water is being used at one time. If the dishwasher's running, the upstairs shower is in use, and you're doing a load of laundry while the sprinkler system's on, that's a lot of water being used. Water pressure will be low in these cases.
As always, when in doubt, get on the phone with a licensed plumber to find out what's going on before things get worse.
