Low Water Pressure

A homeowner should be able to run their washing machine and wash their dishes at the same time. If there are any issues with this, it is a sign that there is low water pressure in the house. When water pressure is low, it does not get all the water to the fixtures like it should. There are many reasons why the water pressure in a home may be low.

Checking Water Pressure Issues

The first thing homeowners should check when they ask why is my water pressure low is to make sure that they check with their neighbors first. In some cases, there may be an issue with the water in the local area. There may be a burst pipe, or crews may be working on the line. If the neighbors are not home, a quick call to the local water company will help the homeowner to learn whether or not there is an issue with the water in the neighborhood.

If the neighborhood water is fine, the homeowner will next want to check the fixtures in the home. They need to go to each faucet and appliance and turn the water on. If the home is older than 20 years old, the pipes may have degraded or became clogged. To have this problem fixed, they will need to get an experienced plumber. They should never try to fix water pressure issues themselves. If they accidentally hit the wrong pipe, they could end up flooding the home and doing a lot of damage.

Before the plumber is called, there are several things that a homeowner can check to see whether or not the issue is major.

Low Pressure At One Fixture

If the water pressure issue is coming from one fixture like a faucet or shower head, It may be clogged, have a dislodged washer, or have a partially closed supply valve. The first step a homeowner should do is to remove the aerator and clean it. Once it is cleaned, chances are that the water pressure will be back to normal.

If a sink has a slow drain, the valve needs to be checked to ensure that it is opened fully. This valve is located underneath the sink and should be turned counterclockwise to ensure that it is opened fully. If the aerator and valves are fine, the washer should be checked to make sure that the connection is not blocked. The homeowner needs to close the valves, remove the tubes, and make sure that the washer has not moved.

If the shower head is the one with pressure issues, the shower head should be removed and cleaned well. A homeowner should look for the restrictor to make sure that it has not become dislodged.

Whole House Water Pressure Issues

If the water pressure is low throughout the home, the homeowner will need to learn what causes low water pressure in the whole house. They should first check the water meter if they have one. Typically, these are located towards the street, but in some cases, may be up near the house. Once the homeowner has located the meter, they should make sure that the valves are wide open. To see if they are, they should turn them counterclockwise. It is important to make sure that these valves are open all the way. If the homeowner finds that they are not all the way open, this could be causing the water pressure issue. The main supply valve will also need to be checked to ensure that it is opened all the way. To make sure that this is open, the homeowner should turn it counterclockwise.

If there is a regulator to the home, it should be near or at the main water valve. In some cases, this regulator needs to be adjusted to allow more water flow into the home. This is best done by an experienced plumber. If too much water pressure comes into the home, it can do damage to the pipes.

In some cases, you may deal with an obstruction in your water line. For example, if the pipes have been worked on and dirt and debris have somehow made it into the lines, the debris can settle. If there are older pipes, lime buildup can occur, which will greatly restrict the flow of water. In some cases, these sections of pipe can be replaced individually, but in most cases, the home’s piping will need to be replaced.

Is Your Old Water Heater Causing Water Pressure?

It is a frustrating thing when the water pressure becomes low. If the water pressure is a bit low, it can be quite a hassle to determine what is the cause of the low water pressure and how it can be fixed. One thing to consider when the water pressure starts getting low is the water heater. In fact, an old water heater can be the source of the problem. Along with other issues with the water heater.

The Age of the Unit

On top of all the other issues with the water heater that can cause low water pressure problems, the age of the unit can also be an issue, especially when the age is old enough to cause these other problems. An older water heater can have buildups of lime and other sediments, but they can also have piping that is inefficient at providing a strong stream of hot water to the outlets in the home. As mentioned before, the location of the unit, as well as the age, can be an issue, especially if the home has been updated or renovated and is no longer compatible with the gravity fed supply unit. The only way to solve this issue is to update the unit, change the piping, or have the unit cleaned by a professional.

Conclusion

Many things can be the cause of the low water pressure. The most common issue is the age of the unit itself. If it is an older model, this can affect the pressure. In addition to that, it can also be due to the location of the unit. If you are having this issue happening to you or have an older unit, a professional Benjamin Franklin plumber can be sent to look at the unit, clean it, or fix anything that might be amiss.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Tyler serves the East Texas cities of Kilgore, Longview, Tyler, and Whitehouse with a team of certified plumbers. In addition to emergency plumbing repair, some of the plumbing services provided by the company include faucet repair, drain services, toilet repair, plumbing fixture installations, tub and shower installations, kitchen sink repair, faucet installation, water heater repair/replacement, and garbage disposal replacement. Call us today at (903) 730-6611 to schedule an appointment!