10 Causes of Low Water Pressure In Your Home
Low water pressure in Flower Mound could be a sign of a minor issue or a major problem. If you have low pressure, you should call a plumber for water repair. In the meantime, here are a few of the common causes of poor water pressure.
1. The Water Provider Is Having Issues
If you’re lucky, the only reason you don’t have a steady flow of water is because of your water supplier. Before you call a plumber, check with your water company. They may be having issues, and it’s up to them to fix a problem that’s not on your property. One tell-tale sign that the main supplier is to blame is your neighbors complaining. If you’re not the only one with water issues, you might not need plumbing repair services.
2. Your City Has New Regulations
At times, city officials change the local regulations. They could reduce the water pressure maximum, which would cause your water supplier to change the water pressure regulators. You can look into this by calling up your water company and asking about the change in pressure. If they don’t know of any change in regulations, you should call a plumber for plumbing maintenance.
3. The Main Valve Is Partially Closed
Unfortunately, the water company isn’t always to blame. But this doesn’t mean you’re in need of an expensive water repair in Flower Mound. The issue could be that your main valve isn’t open all the way. You can check by locating your main shut off valve and making sure it’s open all the way. If you recently had a plumbing issue and shut off the water, you might not have opened it all the way. Grab the handle and turn it counterclockwise until it stops. If the handle is a lever, it needs to be parallel to the pipe.
4. The Water Meter Valve Is Partially Closed
There’s one more valve you should check before calling a plumber. The main water meter valve controls the water coming in and out of your home. Although the valve affects your home, it’s owned by the water company. You probably have never seen this valve and may not even be able to access it easily. But, if you had work done to your home in the near past, you may have an issue with the water meter valve. Call the water company and ask them to check the valve.
5. You Need a New Pressure Regulator
Some homes don’t have a pressure regulator. However, your home could have one and maybe failing you. This would result in poor water pressure. To determine whether or not the regulator is to blame, you can attach a pressure gauge to the spigot outside of your home. For the best results, use the spigot closest to the regulator. Open the spigot, check the pressure, and compare it to the expected pressure. If the pressure is lower than expected, you might need to replace the regulator.
6. You Have a Clog
Most people think clogs only slow down the drains. However, clogs can do much more than that. A major clog could form in your water line and keep water from flowing to your fixtures. Unlike a clog close to your drain, this type of blockage is difficult to access. Even if you can access it, you might end up contaminating your drinking water.
7. You Have Corroded Pipes
If you have an old home, the pipes could be decades old. Unless you had a pipe replacement, you might have plumbing that’s prone to rusting. The corrosion could cause a blockage that slows the flow of water and reduces the pressure. After about 20 years, galvanized steel pipes could create problems for you. Meanwhile, brass pipes may last up to 70 years. If you call for an inspection or pipe line cleaning services, you can look for corrosion and replace your pipes if necessary.
8. You Share Pipes
Depending on your location, you could share pipelines with a neighbor. Whenever your neighbor showers, does laundry, or uses the dishwasher, your water pressure could decrease. Sadly, there is no easy fix for this. You can live with the lack of good pressure or choose to have a pipe replacement. This comes at a high cost, so be sure to get several quotes and pick the best company for the job.
9. You Have a Leak
Leaks in your plumbing aren’t always obvious. If you have a slow leak in your plumbing, it could affect your water pressure. When you notice a decrease in pressure, check under your sinks for signs of leaks. Look for moisture, mold, and puddles. Some pipes are inaccessible, which means you may not be able to tell if there’s a leak. If the leaky pipe isn’t obvious, you should call a plumber. It takes a lot of lost water to reduce your water pressure, and you could be dealing with more than one leak. This is why it’s so important to work with an experienced professional.
10. You Have Bad Fixtures
The older your plumbing, the more likely you are to have problems. If your pipes are old, you could have issues with your plumbing fixtures. This is most likely the case when the water pressure is only low in one or two fixtures. A likely culprit is an aerator, as this can collect minerals and debris. As the aerator clogs, less water can get through it.You can try to clean an aerator by removing it and scrubbing it with a toothbrush. If there’s a mineral build-up on the aerator, you can let it sit in a mixture of vinegar and water. You can do the same with shower heads as well. After cleaning, replace the fixture or aerator and check your pressure.
Do You Need Water Repair?
How’s your water pressure? If you’re tired of low water pressure in Flower Mound, call us at Strittmatters. We can handle your water repair or give you advice on how to improve your water pressure. With our help, you can enjoy your showers and make cleaning easier.Follow our Facebook page for more updates and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
