Why Is My Water Pressure So Low?

They say water is life. If you think about it, there is not a single task you can accomplish around the house without water. Cooking, washing, bathing, drinking and watering your garden all depend on water. With all these water needs, you don’t want to deal with inconveniences caused by low water pressure or dry taps.

When you can’t get water at the right pressure and volume, you have something to worry about. Low water pressure can affect your quality of living. To solve this issue, you need to understand why it’s happening in the first place.

Why is your home experiencing low water pressure? Here are the top reasons.

Your Fixtures Are Outdated

If it has been a long time since you changed your fixtures, they’ll become faulty over time. They’re exposed to rust, sediment and limestone, which obstructs the free flow of water. This will not only reduce the water flow, but it will also affect the quality of water you’ll be getting.

You’ll identify fixture problems if you’re experiencing low pressure in one or two fixtures. Sometimes you may only need to clean a clogged fixture to remove the obstruction. At other times, you may need to get a professional to replace the whole fixture as the problem may be too big.

Failing Pressure Regulator

Your plumbing system has a pressure-reducing valve or a pressure regulator. The regulator ensures the pressure is not too low for your home’s water needs and not too high to damage the pipes.

If your home has a pressure regulator, it can fail, causing a reduction in water pressure. You can purchase a new regulator of the same size and brand. Shut off the water supply at the meter shut-off valve to replace the regulator.

Leaking Pipes

A flooded basement is not the only sign of leaking pipes. Low water pressure can also be a sign that there are leaks somewhere. While the leak might not cause a big mess, it will misdirect your water supply. It will interfere with the speed and the volume that enters your home.

Inspect your home to see if you can find any wet spots or pooling water. If you find the specific pipe that’s leaking, fix it right away. Leaky pipes may cause an even bigger problem apart from just lowering the water pressure. They can contaminate your drinking water or even cause flooding.

To correct the problem, make sure you turn off your water supply and dry the area around the pipes. Call a plumber to fix the leaking pipes and get a long-lasting solution to the problem.

Clogged Pipes

Clogged pipes may also be the reason why you wait for so long before filling a bucket of water. If you turn on your faucet and water flows at normal pressure, then it reduces shortly after; the culprit may be clogged pipes. Things such as mineral deposits, debris or rust can clog your pipes interfering with the normal water flow.

You’re likely to face this problem if your home’s piping system is made of galvanized steel. You’re not going to correct problems with clogged pipes yourself as it requires the expertise of a professional. A licensed plumber can check the pipes to see if they need replacement or cleaning.

Your Main Shut-Off Valve Is Closed

The home’s shut-off is usually located where the supply pipes enter the house from the foundation wall. In homes located in warmer areas, you might find this shut-off valve outside the house. If you’re experiencing low water pressure, check if this valve is closed.

Make sure the handle is fully open in the counterclockwise direction. For a ball valve, make sure the handle is parallel to the direction of the pipe if fully open. If you had some plumber repairs recently, the chances are that the valve wasn’t fully opened after completing the work.

You’re Not the Only One Relying on the Pipe

If you’re not the only one depending on water from the specific pipe, you can’t expect to receive water at high pressure all the time. Sometimes a single pipe has to run water to different households. When you and your neighbor have the pipes running simultaneously, the water pressure will go down.

You don’t have to worry about this because you won’t be footing their water bills. This means you’ll share the water in different households; hence, the pipe has to work harder. If the low pressure inconveniences you, consider working on your timing, so you only open your tabs when the neighbor is not using theirs. You can also decide to do a pipe replacement if you can afford it. Get a plumber to divide the pipes and ensure you get an uninterrupted water supply.

It’s Your Utility Company’s Fault

Your plumbing system is not always the problem if you’re experiencing a low water supply. The municipal water lines also experience a problem with leaks, clogs and rust that can affect the pressure. If your home and the neighboring homes are suddenly receiving low water pressure, give your utility company a call.

If you had the utility workers in your home recently, they might have closed the valve. You need to arrange for them to come and open it up. They might have also adjusted the shut-off valve and closed the water supply. Have the utility company check everything and restore normal water supply.

Your Home Gets Hard Water

If the water that gets to your home is hard, you’ll have to deal with low pressure from time to time. Scale buildup in the fixtures takes place slowly. With time, it manages to reduce the water flow or even clog the pipes completely.

You need to reduce limescale from fixtures to restore the normal water pressure. Using white vinegar can offer a temporary solution. To provide a permanent solution and protect your pipes from calcium and magnesium buildup, you need a more permanent solution. A water softener can provide the required solution.

A Broken Water Heater

It’s also likely that you’ll experience a drop in water pressure while in the bathroom. If this happens when you’re using hot water, the problem may be the water heater. Scale buildup in the water heater will no doubt decrease the hot water supply.

You should work on the problem by flushing out the hot water to open the clogs. You can do this yourself or call a licensed plumber to carry out some water heater maintenance. Make sure your water heater is running optimally, so you enjoy an adequate water supply as well as ensure your safety.

We Can Help

If you experience low water pressure, don’t try fixing anything before knowing where the problem is. You need to find out what’s causing the problem, so you know what to fix. You should also know if the problem needs a simple repair or a replacement of the parts before you start working.

Don’t let low water pressure deny you peace of mind when help is just a call away. JW Heating and Air will be at your service for all your plumbing needs. Give us a call today, and let’s help restore your water pressure so you can enjoy uninterrupted supply in Los Angeles. We also offer heating, cooling and indoor air quality services.