Why Do I Have Low Water Pressure?
John Turpin is our resident home service repair expert here at Service Direct. He’s got the knowledge and experience to help homeowners like you make sense of most home repair issues. And with Service Direct, we connect you with top-tier service professionals to help with any repairs needed.
Find Out Why You Have Low Water Pressure at Home
Are you experiencing low water pressure in the whole house? If that’s true, it could be a sign of a costly issue that could happen soon. It could be prevented, though, simply by making sure you keep to your water heater maintenance schedule. Still, it helps to know what causes low water pressure and how to fix the problem.
Do you want to know the answer to “why is my water pressure so low?” Continue reading to find out!
What Causes Low Water Pressure?
Low water pressure is a common enough issue that happens at home. It can occur throughout the entire house or just in a single sink. It could be that your cold water pressure is perfectly okay but then your hot water pressure isn’t enough. Whatever could be causing this? What causes low water pressure in my home? We’ll discuss them briefly below.
Corrosion
When the piping corrodes, it causes oxidation that collects in the pipe’s interior walls. This causes a restriction in the flow of the water. The good thing is it only usually happens with galvanized steel pipes. However, it doesn’t only cause low water pressure but also eventually creates holes in the pipes until they all fail.
Clog Buildup in the Pipes
A blockage, like debris, food particles, or solidified oil and grease, is a common cause of low water pressure. Tree roots can also cause low water pressure by interfering with the path of the water flow and causing fractures in the main water line. Any foreign object that gets inside the pipes can lessen the space the water travels through, resulting in low water pressure.
Closed or Partially Open Water Meter Valve
If your plumbing system recently had work done, that could be why your water pressure is low. You should check if your water meter valve is closed or is only partially open. If it is, then the problem should be fixed by fully opening the valve.
Our resident home repair guru, John Turpin, has provided a list of common reasons your water pressure may be too low, along with some suggested solutions and DIY tips to get it improved.
Partially Open Water Shutoff Valve
Similar to the water meter valve, you will have low water pressure if the water shutoff valve is only partially open. This valve controls the water flow in your home, after all. Opening the valve fully should increase the low water pressure.
Plumbing Leaks
Plumbing leaks cause many kinds of problems and low water pressure is one of them. When there is a leak, the water doesn’t get to where it should go. There is low water pressure because the water gets diverted somewhere else or flows out of the pipe. You should quickly look for leaks if your home has low water pressure.
Broken Pressure Regulator
A pressure regulator helps maintain a plumbing system’s water pressure at a constant rate. If you have one installed, it should be set around 45 to 60 psi. If the water pressure is low, you should check the regulator and adjust it, if necessary. But if it’s broken, a licensed plumber can help you fix or replace it.
Issues with the Water Supplier
It could be that the problem with the low water pressure is with your water supplier or the municipal water supply. If this is the case, you can’t resolve it from your home. The only action you can do is to contact your supplier to ask if there are any issues on their side and confirm when you can expect the problem to be fixed.
Peak Time Use
If someone uses water during peak times like early morning, the high water usage can cause low water pressure. This is likely to happen if your whole neighborhood is connected to the same pipelines. In that case, consider showering or using water during low-use periods instead.
How to Fix Low Water Pressure
How to fix low water pressure? Follow the instructions below.
Reach Out to Your Neighbors
The first thing you should do is contact your neighbors and see if they’re experiencing the same problem. If they do, it’s likely the municipal water system or your supplier is the origin of the problem. Like you, they could have leaks, corrosion, and clogs, causing low water pressure.
Clear Buildup in the Pipes
As we said, the low water pressure might be due to a clog in the pipes. In that case, try clearing up the blockage. If the clog is in the main sewer line, it could be difficult to clear it on your own. You can hire a professional service instead to inspect and clear any clog in the main water line.
Open the Main Water Valve
Go investigate your main water valve, which is typically located close to the meter. Check if it is fully open or not. If it’s partially shut, go ahead and open it completely to increase your home water pressure.
Change Your Water Pressure Regulator
Just like we said before, the water pressure regulator helps control the water pressure in your home. If you still have low water pressure after clearing the pipes and opening the main water valve, try adjusting or replacing the water pressure regulator.
Check for Leaks
Check around the house for leaks. If you find one, make sure to turn off all faucets in your home before turning off your main water valve to prevent water damage while taking note of the number in the water meter. After two hours, check the water meter reading once again. If the reading increases, there’s a good chance your main pipe really is damaged. It’s best to call a professional in this situation.
Install a Water Pressure Booster
Is your water pressure still low after clearing your pipes, fixing the leak, or changing your water pressure regulator? Then the problem might be that too many people in your neighborhood use water at the same time. In this case, it’s a good idea to have a water pressure installed. It should effectively boost the water flow rate in your home.
Do You Need a Licensed Plumber to Fix Low Water Pressure?
Some water pressure issues can be easily fixed by yourself. Others, however, need the help of a professional plumber. If your water pressure problem involves replacing parts or a particularly difficult-to-remove clog, we strongly advise calling for a plumber. Professional plumbers have the skills and knowledge to restore your low water pressure quickly and efficiently.
What Are the Signs of Low Water Pressure?
There are several signs you need to be on the lookout for. Signs of low water pressure can involve clothes not being fully washed after a cycle, water fixtures producing less water, and the dishwasher not cleaning dishes. It’s also quite the obvious sign of low water pressure if you have plumbing issues, like leaks or cracks. If you notice any of these signs, you may call a licensed plumber to help fix your water pressure.
How Do You Measure the Water Pressure in Your Home?
You can measure the water pressure in your home using a water pressure gauge. You can have one installed in your home, which is typically placed on an outdoor spigot or a threaded outlet. If you want, you can install it yourself – simply screw the gauge on and then open a valve to check your water pressure.
Hire a Local Plumbing Repair Pro
If you still have trouble with low water pressure in your home, then don’t hesitate to contact a trustworthy, local plumbing pro using the phone number or form on this page.