It’s early morning and you’re looking forward to a refreshing shower to start your day. You step in and turn on the water, but instead of the powerful jets of water you’re used to, you get nothing but a trickle. Something’s wrong with your water pressure, but what?
Low water pressure can affect every water outlet in your home. From showers and faucets to your appliances and sprinklers, water pressure problems can reduce the power and amount of water you get from these outlets. Fortunately, all water pressure problems can be resolved fairly easily. In this article, we’ll take a look at the common causes of low water pressure and how they can be resolved.
Signs You Have Low Water Pressure
Water pressure issues can make themselves known in a number of ways. Your showerhead may produce a weak spray, your faucets may take a long time to fill your bath or sinks, or your washing machine may take longer to complete a cycle.
Sometimes, only one fixture may be experiencing low water pressure. In these cases, the problem can usually be fixed by replacing or repairing the fixture. But in most cases, low water pressure affects the whole home and this is when a little experience and knowledge of these problems goes a long way. Let’s take a closer look and show you how our experienced plumbers narrow the search.
Check With the Neighbors
If you are experiencing low water pressure problems, it could be that your neighbors are too! Water distribution issues from your local provider are often the reason for the problem and this could be affecting the whole street. Check with your neighbors to see if they are experiencing the same problem. If they are, reach out to the water provider in the first instance as they are responsible for localized issues with the municipal supply.
Common Low Water Pressure Causes in the Home
If low water pressure is causing you problems, you don’t need to put up with weak and puny showers or appliances that take forever to finish. Here are some of the most common causes of low water pressure:
Is the Primary Shutoff Valve Partially Closed?
If your neighbors aren’t experiencing problems with their water pressure, the problem could be with your primary shutoff valve. This valve is located where your plumbing system joins with the municipal water supply line and it needs to be open fully in order to supply proper water pressure to your home. A plumber will be able to locate your primary valve if you’re not sure and ensure that it is fully open.
Pipe Blockages
One of the most common reasons that water pressure suddenly drops is a blockage in your pipes. Clogged pipes can occur anywhere in your plumbing system or further down in your sewer line. When the flow of water is obstructed, this can result in the water pressure being low throughout your home. The good news is that an experienced plumber can locate the source and location of the blockage and get it cleared as quickly as possible. Other signs that you have a pipe blockage include foul odors around your home and sinks and showers taking a long time to drain away.
Pressure Regulator Problems
If your plumbing is fitted with a pressure regulator, this could be the culprit when it comes to low water pressure. These systems help to adjust the flow of water entering your home to help maintain your pipelines. If there is a fault with your system, this could result in the water pressure being lower than normal. A qualified plumber will be able to carry out a series of checks and tests on your regulator and find a solution.
The Water Meter Valve is Partially Closed
Low water pressure could also be caused by a fault with your water meter valve. If you’ve recently had renovations or a remodel in your home, the water valve may have been shut off at some point. If it wasn’t opened back up fully again, the water pressure may be low. Again, a plumber will be able to check your valve for you to make sure it is fully open and operating as it should be.
Mineral Deposits in Pipes
Another common cause of low water pressure is the integrity of your pipes and plumbing. If the water coming into your home has a high mineral content or there are cracks in your pipes that allow minerals like sand to leach into your system, this can cause low water pressure. Sediment blockages are very common and can impede the flow of water into your home and through your plumbing system. This is usually when you’ll need a professional drain cleaning company to blast away these blockages for you. If your sewer line or pipes are cracked or in bad shape, you may need to have these lines repaired or replaced. Fortunately, we can help you with these services, so call us at the first sign of trouble. We offer CCTV inspection that will help us to track down the source of the problem and solve it fast.
Leaking Pipes
Leaks in your pipes can also cause problems with water pressure. If water is running through your pipes but leaking out at some point along the line, you’ll notice a drop in pressure. Even the smallest of cracks can allow water to leak out and you’ll need a repair carried out as quickly as possible. Not only will a repair solve your water pressure problem but could also reduce your utility bills. Calling a plumber from our team is the best way to diagnose and remedy pipe faults and leaks. We’ll use our CCTV cameras to locate the source of the leak and then get to work on finding a permanent repair. We offer a number of solutions when it comes to pipe repair and replacement and can give you advice on the best one to choose.
General Wear and Tear of Pipework
While plumbing systems and pipework are designed to last for years, problems can start to occur over time. Even galvanised steel pipes can start to degrade over time as the water running through the inside of your pipes wears them down. As pipes are worn down, their interior lining becomes textured and this can cause low water pressure to occur. In these cases, we recommend that pipes are lined from the inside to rejuvenate them and allow the free flow of water once more.
Call Your Local Plumbing Team For Expert Assistance
There are many plumbing problems that can cause low water pressure. Once you’ve checked with your neighbors and discovered they don’t have a problem, it’s time to call the professionals. Very often, pressure problems are caused by a fault inside the home and can be rectified easily and quickly.
If you’ve just turned on your faucet to discover a trickle instead of a steady flow of water, it’s time to call our team. Here at Southport Home Services, we can help with all aspects of plumbing problems from low water pressure and faulty showers to pipe leaks and blockages. We’ll get to you as quickly as we can to solve your problem and get your water flowing at the right pressure once more.
Our qualified plumbers will work with total respect for your home and ensure you are completely satisfied with the work we carry out. Call today to arrange an appointment.
