Starting your day with low shower pressure can be downright frustrating. The same frustrating situation happens when the sink’s faucet has low water pressure, and you’re trying to finish your chores. A few minutes of low water pressure may be tolerable. But if it goes on for several hours to days, it can be a huge nuisance and may indicate a more serious problem with your plumbing system.
Low water pressure can occur for numerous reasons. Water pressure is calculated in pounds per square inch (psi). The standard psi for a household pipe system is about 30 to 80 psi, but the ideal range is between 60 to 70. When it’s over 80 (high water pressure), the water could damage your pipes, plumbing fixtures, and appliances, leading to costly repairs.
Meanwhile, if it’s below 30, it’s too low and could cause several problems. Your faucets will take longer to fill your pots or cups, and your appliances and fixtures may not work properly. But don’t let the low water pressure disrupt your daily routine. This article will provide some tips and strategies for properly dealing with low water pressure and improving the water flow in your home.
- Get rid of the clogs
One of the common causes of low water pressure is clogged pipes. Clogs, such as dirt, food particles, solidified grease and oil, and other foreign objects, can easily interfere with water flow into your home. These pollutants can clog your pipes when there are existing fractures in the water main. Another possible reason is when mineral sediments from your water heater have built up and blocked your pipes and your faucet’s aerator, causing the water pressure to slow down.
To fix this, you’ll need to contact professional plumbers to help clean the obstructions from the difficult-to-reach clogs. Instead of using dangerous drain-cleaning chemical solutions, they have other proper tools and equipment to eliminate the pollutants and resolve the low water pressure.
If the root cause is the build-up of mineral sediments from your water heater, the plumbers can help flush out the water heater. You may check this video
and learn more about the importance of flushing your water heater.
Meanwhile, if flushing the water heater doesn’t help clear out the clog and improve your home’s water pressure, it may be best to invest in a new water heater. You can contact an electric water heater replacement Denver, Co services, or other water heater technicians near your home. That way, you can have a new water heater free from any sediment build-up that could slow down your home’s water pressure.
- Watch out for existing leaks
A simple leak issue can also result in low water pressure. This is due to the water escaping from your pipes through the leaks, causing less water to reach your home’s faucets and other fixtures.
Aside from that, unfixed leaky pipes can be extremely wasteful and lead to higher water utility bills. About 10% of households experience water leaks daily that waste over 90 gallons of water. And the worst is, not everyone can detect they have water leaks until they notice a couple of months later that their water bills have vastly increased.
To determine if you have leaks, turn off all the outdoor and indoor faucets in your home and take note of the number indicated on your water meter. About an hour or two later, read your water meter again. If the number has increased despite shutting off all your faucets, there’s a leak somewhere in your pipes that must be fixed immediately. Professional plumbers can detect the exact location of the leaks, replace the cracked or damaged pipes, and increase your home’s water pressure again.
- Contact your neighbors
If you’ve dealt with your home pipe system’s clogs and leaks and still experience low water pressure, perhaps you’ll need to check with your neighbors and see if they’re experiencing the same thing. If the neighboring houses are also experiencing low water pressure, it may be that the problem is with your area’s water system.
Like your home’s pipe system, your community’s water system will likely experience clogs and leaks that could impact the entire community’s water pressure. In that case, report the situation to the local government so they’ll be aware of the issue and take the necessary actions.
- Invest in a home water pressure booster
Perhaps you’re among the few ones who are still experiencing occasional low water pressure despite a clog-free and leak-free pipe system. In that case, the problem may not be in your pipe system but rather in your water supply. Gravity and your home’s distance from the main water supply both play an essential role in your home’s water pressure.
For example, suppose you live in an elevated lot (e.g., a hill, mountain, etc.). In that case, the water will be forced to travel uphill or over great distances from the main supply, negatively impacting the water pressure. Unless you decide to move somewhere closer to the main water supply, you’ll continue to experience low water pressure from time to time.
To resolve this, you can invest in a home water pressure booster. On average, it may cost around USD$ 800 or more, depending on its size and other features. This powerful water pressure booster can help increase the flow of water into your home and maintain it to your desired level. Water pressure boosters come in various sizes and styles, so ensure to consult a plumber to help you decide the best one suited for your pipe system.
Wrap Up
Overall, low water pressure is a fixable problem. With these tips, along with the professional plumbers’ help, you can improve your home’s water pressure and avoid future nuisances. If you still have concerns or questions about your house water pressure, don’t hesitate to contact your trusted plumbers, and they’ll assist you in any way they can.
