Have you ever turned on your garden hose, only for no water to come pouring out? Or been curious why your dishwasher doesn’t seem to be getting the dishes clean enough? If you’ve been experiencing these kinds of issues your home may have low water pressure.

There are many reasons why low water pressure happens. Although this can be an inconvenient issue at your home there is a solution to it. We’re here to help you find that root cause and let you in on a solution.

Signs of Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure can make easy chores take up more of your time or repeat simple chores. If you think you may be having issues with your water pressure, here are a few warning signs:

  • It takes a little while for hot water to come out
  • There is a whistling sound before the water
  • When one or more people use the water at a time, the pressure drops
  • There’s a delay before any water comes out of the faucet

How Is Water Pressure Measured?

Pounds per square inch (PSI) is how you measure how much water pressure your home has. Low water pressure is the result of low PSI and can also cause your appliances to overwork and damage them. In addition to the low water pressure being an issue, if your water pressure is too high it can cause serious issues like leaks and pipes can burst.

How Can I Measure My Home’s Water Pressure?

Measuring your water pressure can easily be done on your own. Use a water gauge from the local hardware store. Connect the water gauge to your outside faucet, making sure it is sealed before turning on the water.

Turn your water faucet on all the way to make sure the gauge reads the full PSI output. You can check all appliances as well, such as the dishwasher or washing machine. The PSI of your water pressure should range between 40 – 60. If your reading has a lower number than 40 PSI, you have low water pressure.

Common Causes of Low Water Pressure

Clogged pipes

Low water pressure can easily be caused by clogged pipes. This is because when debris, hair, grease, or limescale builds up it reduces the amount of room that water has to flow through the pipes.

One way that you can help with clogged pipes from things found in your kitchen is to pour baking soda and vinegar down your drains. The chemical reaction of the two components will help dissolve the clog and keep your pipes clear

Corroded Water Pipes

As with any metal object, your water pipes can rust. Over time the metal reacts with oxygen and water and can cause your pipes to become corroded. There is only one true fix for corroded water pipes, and that is to have them replaced.

Faulty Main Water Valve

A faulty main water valve won’t deliver water to your pipes efficiently. Check your main valve and ensure that it is open all the way.

An Issue With The Municipal Supplier

Low water pressure may occur for reasons not having to do with your home’s plumbing system. The municipal water supply can also have issues that affect your water pressure. Make sure to call your municipal water supply company and let them know that you are experiencing water pressure issues.

Leaks

Leaks can be a leading cause of low water pressure. To check if you leak, turn off all water appliances in and outside of your home. Check the water meter in roughly an hour. If it shows that you are still using water, you most likely leak. Now is the time to recruit a licensed local plumber to locate and repair the leak and restore water pressure.

Problem With The Water Pressure Regulator

The water pressure regulator controls the amount of incoming water pressure that flows into your home so it doesn’t exceed the recommended PSI. If your water pressure regulator is set to lower than the recommended PSI, adjust it to 50 and see if it improves your water pressure. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, it may need to be replaced.

Airlock

Airlock in your water pipes blocks the pressure in the pipes. This can be challenging to fix on your own. Hiring a professional plumber is highly recommended.

Hard Water Blockage

Hard water is a mixture of minerals in the water, magnesium, and calcium. Scale is the result of when these mineral salts dissolve. Hard water can cause a scale build-up in your water pipes. This will lower the water pressure and lessen the water flow to your appliances.

If the scale builds up enough to cause low water pressure, it is recommended to replace your water pipes. Chemical treatments are not recommended for use in drinking water lines.

If you are noticing low water pressure in your home, contact a JW Plumbing, Heating and Air plumber today to help you resolve the problem.

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