Low water pressure can lead to disgruntled family members. It’s a fact. From taking forever to fill up the laundry machine to having less than desirable shower experiences, when the water pressure isn’t cutting it, you will want to find a resolution quickly. Keep reading to learn what may be causing lower water pressure in your home and how to fix low water pressure.
Why Is Your Home’s Water Pressure Low?
It’s always nice to be able to point the finger at someone or something that caused the decrease in your home’s water pressure. Here are a few common reasons you may be experiencing a problem:
- The pipes may be clogged; this is likely if you have an older home with older plumbing.
- The shutoff valves next to the water meter may not be open completely.
- The main shut-off valve (typically on the outside wall near the location where the main plumbing line enters the home or in a basement or garage) isn’t fully open.
- The plumbing system’s pressure regulator is failing.
What Can You Do to Fix the Problem?
Isn’t there just some button you can push or handle you can turn to fix the situation of decreased water pressure? Sometimes you can…and sometimes you have to call in a professional.
Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can safely take in an attempt to fix it yourself:
Make sure the shutoff valves next to the water meter and next to the main line are fully open.
If you have recently had some plumbing repair work done, it’s possible the valves are not open like they should be for optimal water flow. Start with the water meter valve and then check the main valve. In the case of a gate valve, you will want to ensure the handle is twisted fully in a counter-clockwise position. And, with a ball valve that has a lever handle, make sure the handle is in a parallel position to the pipe.
Do you have a pressure regulator in your home? Find out if that’s the issue.
Not all homes have a regulator. But if you have one, it may be time to call around to get quotes for a replacement. You can get the brand and size information from your current regulator to get quotes online or over the phone.
Use a pressure gauge to test the water pressure.
It’s possible the city is delivering the water to your home at a lower pressure. You can find this out by testing yourself. Purchase a gauge at a home center and follow the directions carefully to test out the pressure. Water pressure is low when it is less than 40 psi (per square inch).
If you discover the water from the city is coming to your home with low pressure, you can request them to increase it, which they may or may not do. Similarly, you can look into purchasing a special system to boost the pressure.
When to Call in the Plumbing Pros
Would you rather not deal with the hassle of figuring out the source of the water pressure problem? If so, it’s always a good idea to contact a trusted, licensed plumbing business. There are also certain tasks you should not risk handling yourself, such as removing possible pipe obstructions or cleaning the pipes for better water flow.
At Armor Plumbing, we have a team of licensed, insured plumbers. Hence, we know exactly how to fix low water pressure problem. Our expert plumbing services come with attentive customer service. That provides you with peace of mind and the solutions you need. So, call 678-454-2080 or connect with us online now to get a quote for service or to schedule an appointment.