Low water pressure can be an annoying inconvenience – washing the dishes or taking a shower can sometimes take way too long when you are dealing with a low water flow situation.
Water pressure problems have a tendency to present themselves in different ways. So what causes low water pressure? There can be many culprits. Diagnosing the root cause is the first step to understanding why the water pressure in your home might be low.
Causes Of Low Water Pressure
If only one fixture is affected, like a showerhead or kitchen faucet, a clogged aerator can likely cause low water pressure. To resolve the issue, you can unscrew the nozzle and look for signs of buildup. If it needs to be cleaned, soak the aerator in a mild solution of vinegar and water. If that doesn’t work you can easily buy an inexpensive replacement at your local home repair store.
Other common offenders of low water pressure include debris or mineral deposit buildup in the water, water main leaks, or overall low pressure to the house. Over time pipes can age and rust, pieces of which can break loose and clog aerators, valves, and pipes. If your local municipal water department performs maintenance or works on water lines, rust or gravel can get into your pipes as well. If a blockage caused by debris occurs within your lines, professional plumbers have specialized and efficient ways of checking to locate the blockage. System-wide issues like this can get complicated rather quickly and are better left to the professionals.
In addition to plumbing blockages, water leaks decrease water pressure too. You can test this by running both hot and cold water through all the faucets. If your water pressure is low only with hot water, the issue is likely with your water heater or its shut-off valve. If that doesn’t help, there may be an issue with the hot water heater itself. In this case, it is best to have a professional pinpoint the culprit.
Other water pressure issues may be caused by a water main leak. Water leaks like a leaky faucet are a very common source of low water pressure in a house. In many cases, you can even hear a dripping sound. A water main leak is a major job best left to the professionals.
Professional plumbers like FloHawks can help you fix a water leak or mineral buildup in your water lines. FloHawks has been resolving plumbing issues like low water flow since 1965. We can appreciate how much frustration low water pressure can cause – that is why we are available 24/7 including nights, weekends, holidays, and for emergencies. Contact us online or call us today at 800-356-4295.
