Have you noticed low water pressure coming from your kitchen faucet? Needless to say, we’ve all been there. It’s a drag to wait for two hours or so just to get a full cup of water. Of course, that’s an overstatement, but you get what we’re trying to say. So, what could be causing the issue? Should you call a professional plumber immediately, or is there something you’d call a household remedy? The first option’s almost always the best one, but let’s see if that’s always the case. In the article below, we’ll show you why your home might have low water pressure. Stay tuned for some helpful info on your home’s plumbing system!
You’re sharing pipelines with the neighbors
Did you ever feel you’re somehow connected to your neighbors and not just by the usual how-you’re-doin’ neighborly communication? Were you taking a shower when that sudden realization came to be? If that’s so, there’s a good chance you’re sharing a pipeline with your next-door neighbors. Now, this mostly happens in apartment buildings. You hear your neighbor running the washing machine, which causes low water pressure in your home. Of course, most folks aren’t aware of this since there’s no explanation of it on your utility bill. So, as you can guess, this is quite common and not a cause for alarm.
Clogged pipes/leaking
This is probably the first thing that comes to your mind once you notice low water pressure coming from your faucet. That’s right, leaks and clogged piping seem to be the usual suspects here. However, you’ll want to know that it doesn’t take a significant leak to affect your water pressure, as minor leaks can create some fine mess, too. Also, your piping might be clogged or obstructed by various debris and dirt. In that same manner, your sink and toilets tend to end up clogged every once in a while.
Regulator issues
Did you know that some plumbing systems inside homes possess so-called regulators that control the water pressure to guarantee your pipes are safe from harm? However, these regulators aren’t always the best option for your pipes since they can turn faulty and affect your water pressure negatively by pushing it to extremes. In other words: they can provoke extremely low or extremely high water pressure. You won’t have much of a problem figuring out if this problem’s affecting your household since it will involve all water fixtures inside your home. Once you notice low water pressure affecting each faucet inside your place, it’s a clear signal that it’s time to consider hiring a professional plumbing service provider.
Old and/or corroded piping
This is most likely the cause of low water pressure if you’re living inside an object that’s been built some time ago. To phrase it differently: if you’re living inside an old house, there’s a fair chance your piping needs to be replaced immediately. However, the immediacy will depend on the material your pipes are made from (it’s best you consult a professional). For instance, galvanized steel pipes are pretty prone to end up corroded. Did you know that they’re only supposed to work for 20 years or a little more? That’s also why steel is no longer used for plumbing inside newer homes. What about brass or copper plumbing? Their average lifespan’s about 40 to 70 years. Anyway, you can expand the lifespan of your plumbing system by taking great care of it (frequent inspections, etc.).
Local water policy is why your home might have low water pressure
As much as leaking’s pretty common, the following scenario’s downright rare. Sometimes the local water policy changes due to different situations (droughts, etc.) that might call for water rationing. If the city you’re living in has decided to regulate water a bit more closely, it will most likely affect your water pressure. Certain areas of the US, like California, deal with drought each year. So if you’ve just moved to CA, you have gone through the trouble of hiring an experienced moving company like Mod Movers California to help you relocate, and you’ve noticed low water pressure in your new place… Yeah, it might mean there’s some local policy affecting it. In other words: there’s nothing wrong with your new home’s plumbing.
Valves aren’t open like they’re supposed to be
Okay, so you’ve got two separate valves that handle and control the water flow inside your house. The first one we’ll be talking about is the shutoff valve – the one you probably haven’t touched unless you’ve had an emergency or leak. It’s usually placed inside your living quarters (the interior), nearby the entering point of your local/city water supply. Also, it’s not that strange for it to be outside of your home, too.
The second one’s the so-called water meter valve that’s the property of your local (water) utility servicers. You’ll want to know that it’s not that easy to find since it’s usually located underground. Additionally, it’s typically handled only by the local water utility company. So, one can assume that if you’re having some issues with low water pressure, the reason behind it might be a half-opened valve left like that by the serviceperson.
What’s there to be done?
Simply locate the master shutoff valve and make sure it’s 100% open. The thing is: this is most likely the reason why your home might have low water pressure. If you’ve done that and the issue’s still there, your best bet is to contact professional plumbers and see if they can look at whatever’s causing the problem. You’ll want to know that going DIY isn’t something you’d like to try in this scenario. You can only make things worse and pay a lot more for repairs later on.
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