While you might not think about your home’s water pressure most of the time, low water pressure can be especially frustrating. You don’t want to step into your shower only to feel a small trickle of water coming from the fixture. On average, people experience water pressure of about 40 to 45 pounds per square inch (PSI) in their homes. When you experience low water pressure, it has likely dropped below this range. Most people don’t know what to do when the water coming from their faucets slows to a trickle. Here are nine reasons why you might experience low water pressure and when you should reach out to our plumbers at Delta Mechanical.
1. Water Supplier Issues
In some cases, low water pressure might not indicate that something is wrong with your plumbing. Instead, your water supplier might be experiencing an issue and working on the water lines. You can contact your water company to find out if something has occurred. If they are working on an existing problem, you’ll have to wait until they are finished with it. They might be able to provide you with a time frame for when your water pressure should return to normal.
If the company denies there’s an issue, ask your neighbors if they are experiencing similar problems. Call the company back if you learn that multiple people in your neighborhood are dealing with low water pressure. You might be the first person to report an issue the company didn’t previously know about. They can then send water company workers out to identify and fix the problem with the water lines.
2. Municipal Water Regulation Changes
Cities sometimes adopt changes to their water regulations that lead to reduced water pressure. They might do this to reduce everyone’s water pressure and use in order to conserve water. If you learn your city has done this, you might benefit from a water pressure booster system. A professional plumber from Delta Mechanical can recommend a booster system and correctly install it based on the age and size of your pipes.
3. Partially Closed Water Shutoff Valve
Your home’s main shutoff valve needs to be open all the way for adequate water pressure. If it’s partially closed, your water pressure will drop. This valve might be located outside or inside where the main supply lines enter. If it looks similar to the valve you use to turn on your hose, the handle should be turned counterclockwise all the way. If it’s shaped like a lever, it should be positioned parallel to the pipe. If you can’t find your main water shutoff valve or are unsure of why you have low water pressure, our plumbers can help.
4. Partially Closed Water Meter Valve
The water meter contains a valve that also controls your home’s water supply. Since the water company owns the meter, you typically won’t touch the valve. In many cases, these meters and valves are located underground.
If you began to notice low water pressure after work was performed on your home or yard, contact your water company. Construction companies, sometimes, turn off the water valve at the meter before they perform work. The workers might not have opened your water meter valve all the way when they finished the job. The water company will need to send out someone to make sure it’s open for you.
5. Bad Pressure Regulator
If your plumbing includes a pressure regulator, low water pressure could indicate a failure. To protect your pipes, a water pressure regulator adjusts the pressure of the water entering your home from the supply pipe and drops it to a lower level. However, not all plumbing includes a pressure regulator.
A plumber can check for a pressure regulator. If you have one, they can use a water pressure gauge to get a reading of your water pressure. If the pressure they find with the gauge is lower than what the regulator says, the device might be failing. Your plumber can then replace the faulty water pressure regulator to restore your home’s water pressure.
6. Clogged Pipes
Clogs can form anywhere in your plumbing and can build up enough to reduce your water pressure. Even if you think this might be the cause of your problem, you should never attempt to locate and fix clogs on your own. You could cause damage to your plumbing if you randomly knock about pipes or puncture them. Don’t pour caustic chemicals down your drains because they can cause more damage. To safely locate and remove a clog, you should contact a plumber.
7. Corroded Pipes
If you have an older home and are experiencing low water pressure, the issue might be caused by corroded pipes. Galvanized steel pipes can start to corrode after 20 years. New homes typically don’t have galvanized steel pipes, but older homes that have original plumbing might need to be repiped.
8. Leaking Pipes
Leaks can cause water pressure to drop by misdirecting water away from your home. If you think you have a leak, you should immediately call a local plumber. Failing to fix leaking pipes can lead to damage to your home’s foundation and walls. Pipe leaks can also lead to drinking water contamination. In most cases, if you have a leak that is causing low water pressure, you probably have multiple leaks. Leaky pipes might also be only one of several problems that are causing you to experience low water pressure.
9. Clogged Aerators
If you only experience low water pressure from one or two fixtures, the faucets themselves might be the source. Faucets include aerators that reduce the water’s volume without changing the pressure, but they can become clogged with rust, limescale buildup, and dirt over time. You can inspect the aerators to see if you need to clear away the buildup. Once you do, you can check whether you notice a difference in the water pressure.
Your fixtures can also develop clogs. If you suspect you have a clogged faucet fixture, you might consider replacing it. To avoid making a mess, you’ll need to turn off the water supply to the fixture before removing it to clean or replace it.
Rely on Our Professional Plumbers
At Delta Mechanical, our professional plumbers can help you solve problems with low water pressure with drain repair, hydro jetting, and more. Founded in 1995, our company is proud to have emerged as a leader in delivering professional plumbing services nationwide. From our primary location in Mesa, Arizona, we’ve expanded to Nevada, California, Colorado, Texas, and Florida. Our plumbers will thoroughly inspect your pipes and plumbing infrastructure before they start to pinpoint the issue with a fiber optic video camera. We offer a wide range of plumbing and water heater services, including repiping, pipe repairs, leak detection, sewer line services, and more.
To learn more about why you’re experiencing low water pressure or to get help with any other plumbing issue, contact our professional team at Delta Mechanical today!
