There is nothing worse than looking forward to taking a nice, hot shower at the end of a long day, only to find a weak stream of water coming out of your showerhead. Low water pressure issues can cause a lot of frustration. Whether it’s coming out of your shower head or your sink, no one wants to deal with low water pressure. There are several causes of low water pressure in your home, some bigger than others, but here are the four most common so you can solve the low water pressure problem in your home.
Clogged Pipes or Mineral Buildup
Oddly enough, the water flowing through your home’s pipes could be the culprit behind the low water pressure problem in your home. If you live in an area with hard water, you likely have mineral buildup in your pipes that is clogging them, causing low water pressure.
You can confirm that this is the problem by checking your showerheads and sink faucets. If you see crusty white material on your faucets and shower heads, that’s a sign of a hard water problem. You can even check your glasses and silverware when they come out of the dishwasher; if they have white spots straight out of the dishwasher, that’s a sign of a hard water problem as well.
The minerals in hard water can build up inside your pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, making it hard for water to flow through. If this is the reason for your low water pressure problem, a plumber can help diagnose the problem and flush the pipes to clear the buildup and restore proper water flow. Afterwards, installing a water softener could help eliminate this low water pressure problem in the future.
Leaks in Your Plumbing System
It’s no secret that water flowing out of your pipes could lead to a low water pressure problem. To see if a leaky pipe is really the thing causing your low water pressure problem, check to see if you see any pooling water or wet spots, inside or outside of your home.
If you do see signs of a leaky pipe, turn off your water supply and try to dry the pipe. Call a plumber as soon as possible to solve your low water pressure problem and to prevent further damage to the interior or exterior of your home. If your low water pressure issue is the result of a leaky pipe, chances are there’s probably more than one leak.
Issues with Your Water Heater
Have you recently realized that when you turn on your shower or sink, the hot water comes out slower than the cold water? If you have, your water heater could be causing you to have a low water pressure issue.
Sediment buildup from hard water can settle at the bottom of the tank of your water heater and restrict water flow. Partially closed or faulty valves could also be the cause of low water pressure issues in your home. Every water heater has inlet and outlet valves that control the flow of water in your water heater. If those valves are partially closed, corroded, or just worn out, that could be the reason for a lack of hot water pressure.
The age of your water heater is also a factor. If you have a water heater that is twelve years or older, its internal components start to wear out. This can lead to reduced efficiency, inconsistent water flow, and low water pressure issues when using hot water. If you’ve noticed reduced pressure when using hot water, a plumber can quickly pinpoint the issues and help resolve the low water pressure issues your water heater may be causing.
Faulty Pressure Regulator
A water pressure regulator is required in many state municipal codes; it’s something that’s installed where water enters your home. It helps take high-pressure water and reduce it to a safe and consistent level for your plumbing system. Without it, the pressure coming in could be too strong and cause damage to your pipes. However, when it doesn’t work, the pressure isn’t strong enough in your house.
Inside the regulator, there’s a spring and a diaphragm that control the pressure. If it starts to wear out, it may stop adjusting properly, getting stuck restricting too much water, leading to low water pressure issues in your home.
Like most things, regulators don’t last forever. After about ten to fifteen years, you’ll need to replace your pressure regulator, because your springs will lose tension, diaphragms will crack or stiffen, and mineral buildup will interfere.
If the low water pressure issue in your home is due to a faulty pressure regulator, you’ll experience low pressure at every faucet and fixture, both your hot and cold water will be affected, and problems will likely appear very suddenly.
Why Choose Us?
At S&B Plumbing, we understand how frustrating low water pressure issues can be. Especially when you aren’t sure what the source of the problem is. Our years of experience, fast service, and straightforward pricing make us the best choice for all of your plumbing needs. Contact us today to get your plumbing problems solved.
