Good water pressure is among a few things that we take for granted. Unfortunately, we only realize its worth when it begins to drop. Even more, returning from a hard day at work only to find dripping water from the shower faucet can be annoying.
The water pressure anywhere in your home can be low due to corroded plumbing, faulty fixtures, pipe leaks, clogged water pipes, and failing pressure regulators. Another more obvious yet silly reason can be a water valve only opened halfway.
Anyone who has experienced low water pressure knows how it halts daily life, simple activities like washing hands and doing the dishes. Give this handy guide a read to save yourself the trouble of low water pressure and bring it back to optimal levels.
What Is Water Pressure?
People often confuse water pressure with water flow. However, there’s a fine line between both. Water pressure refers to the strength used to push water via pipes. This is generally created through height. For instance, almost every city has a water tower located high on a hill.
The large tank contains the city’s water supply. Generally, the tank’s height determines the amount of pressure the water supply will have.
How Does It Work?
Most residential areas get their water from a municipal water supplier. Many cities use groundwater sources. However, surface water comprises several municipal water supplies. Nonetheless, water is pushed to treatment facilities regardless of the source. Later, the pressure tanks situated at high points distribute the water throughout the residential area.
The water tank’s height combined with the water’s weight creates the water pressure. So, the higher the tank, the more the water pressure.
The water then travels down from the tank to the primary water sources that distribute it to the community. A few areas also use booster stations to regulate water pressure. In fact, some places also have pressure-reducing stations that move high-pressure water to low-pressure places. The entire process manages the water levels within the system.
To sum up, water pressure is generated via a pressure pump or gravity and is regulated by a pressure regulator. A typical American household’s optimal water pressure levels are around 40-80 psi (pounds per square inch).
Reasons Why Your Water Pressure Is Low
1. Corroded Plumbing
Most pipes, unfortunately, have an expiration date. The same goes for galvanized pipes, widely used among US household plumbing systems. In fact, galvanized pipes corrode only after 20 years. Brass pipes, on the other hand, last for up to 60 years. Likewise, Copper pipes have a lifespan of 50 or more years.
The likelihood of corrosion spikes when you live in an older house. Newer pipes made from galvanized steel tend to last longer. However, those in older houses that haven’t been updated for years need attention.
The debris and rust accumulated in corroded pipes make it hard for the water to flow seamlessly. As a result, you experience a pressure drop.
What to Do
Replacing your home’s plumbing is the only way to fix internal corrosion. Yes, it would be costly, but it’s worth it. You can choose a durable material when installing new plumbing, keeping yourself from the hassle of replacing the pipe anytime soon in your life. However, replacing plumbing isn’t a DIY job and requires professional help.
2. Clogged Faucet Aerators
Although most of us have them in our homes, we rarely notice them. Faucet aerators are screens fixed at the end of household faucets. The device is responsible for reducing the water pressure and controlling the stream from a faucet.
It also shapes the water stream, which prevents splashes. Lastly, it catches debris and mineral particles that leach into your water.
Although aerators have a positive role to play, they might be the reason why your water pressure is low.
Over time, faucet aerators become clogged. As a result, you may experience a pressure drop. In fact, the water may eventually stop flowing through the faucet.
What to Do
An easy fix to clogged faucet aerators is to remove them. However, this keeps you from benefitting from the perks of aerators. Therefore, it’s best to clean them. In fact, we recommend cleaning them every 4-5 months. Here’s how to go about it.
To begin with, you’d need a few tools and materials, including
- Screwdriver
- Channel-lock pliers
- Toothbrush
- Needle
- Vinegar
- Toothpick
- Masking tape
Once you’ve gathered your supplies, follow the instructions below to get started.
Uninstall the Aerator
Hold the aerator firmly with your fingers and unthread it in a counterclockwise direction. This will help remove it from the faucet. If the aerator is attached tightly and refuses to come off, consider using a pair of pliers to remove it.
However, make sure you do not apply pressure when using the pliers. Otherwise, it may crack the aerator. A few aerators are made of plastic and can quickly get damaged.
Check for Debris
Use the tip of your finger to check the faucet spout for mineral deposits and debris. If you feel anything is stuck inside, pry it using a screwdriver. Following this, clear out the deposits or dirt inside the faucet spout, and you’re good to go.
Clean the Aerator
After disassembling the aerator, use a toothpick to clean the large sediment pieces. You would likely notice blocked holes in the screen. The deposits can be stubborn, and a toothpick might not always work. So, consider using a sewing needle to rinse off the deposits stuck inside it.
Soak It In Vinegar
Pour some vinegar into a spare glass or jar and soak the screen and other parts into it. As a rule of thumb, leave the parts soaked overnight. This would soften the deposits and make them easily removable with a toothbrush.
Alternatively, you can also use a CLR (Calcium, Lime, Rust) remover to get rid of mineral deposits.
Wash and Reassemble It
Now open the faucet for a few seconds and let the water run. This would flush out any loose deposits inside the tap. After that, reassemble the aerator parts.
Reinstall the Aerator
Attach the aerator back onto the spout in a counterclockwise direction to screw it. Firmly tighten it with your hand and open the faucet to check for leaks. If you notice the water streaming outside the aerator, tighten it more unless the leaks are gone.
3. Failing Pressure Regulator
A malfunctioning pressure regulator can also contribute to low water pressure in your home. Generally, a pressure regulator is responsible for controlling the valve, which lowers the input pressure in your plumbing system to an optimal level.
This ensures that water pressure doesn’t damage the pipes. A failing pressure regulator can cause the water pressure to drop significantly. In other cases, it might spike dramatically. So, the former issue could be due to a failing pressure regulator.
Although all properties are not equipped with a pressure regulator, many are. You can always find the bell-shaped device below your property’s front hose attachment.
The plumber generally keeps the water pressure between 40-60psi. Once the manufacturer sets it, it doesn’t need further adjustment. However, a failing regulator needs replacement.
What to Do
Consider turning the screw clockwise to tighten it. This would likely increase the water pressure. If this step doesn’t fix the issue, it signifies a faulty pressure regulator. However, you must replace the installed regulator at this point because repairing it won’t help.
Pressure regulators can become faulty due to natural wear. A licensed plumber can best assess the situation and either repair the existing regulator or mount a new one to improve water pressure in your home.
4. Leaking Pipes
Low water pressure and a flooded basement signify leaking pipes. Note that leaks aren’t enough to mess with your home’s water pressure. However, it can misdirect the water supply, limiting the water flow.
What to Do
The only solution to this problem is to fix the leaking pipes. Follow the steps to get started.
- To begin with, you must look around to spot which pipes are leaking
- Once you identify the leaks, it’s time to turn off the main water supply
- Dry the leaking pipes and use a rubber patch around the broken pipe
- Wrap an electrical tape and a repair clamp to attach the patch to the pipe
This is a temporary solution, but it stops the leaks for good. However, you can expect the problem to arise after a few days. Therefore, it’s best to call a professional as soon as possible.
Not only do leaking pipes lower your home’s water pressure, but they also deteriorate your home’s foundation and contaminate your drinking water.
Besides, if a pipe leak contributes to low water pressure, regrettably, you have more than one leak which requires professional help.
5. You Share Pipelines
Shared pipelines distribute water in more than one home. It’s never fun to break this, but your water pressure might slow down when your neighbor waters their plants or washes their vehicle. While that doesn’t mean you pay for the water they utilize, it means the water supply is shared between 2 or more homes.
We can look at it another way. When you shower and someone starts doing the dishes in the kitchen, you’ll notice a drop in water pressure.
This time, the only difference is that it’s because of someone living next door. So, perhaps you cannot stop them from using the water – only because it’s lowering the pressure at your end.
What to Do
Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do about shared pipelines. Consider switching the routine and timing to assess when your neighbor isn’t using much water. You can utilize this time to do essential chores, from showering to washing the dishes.
Alternatively, you can go the pipe replacement route. Keep in mind that it’ll be expensive. However, it offers a permanent solution to regulating water pressure. Do your homework to find an ideal plumbing company that can replace the pipe without breaking the bank.
The key is to find a company that’s transparent about its prices. You can always talk to them to learn about the costs that’ll go into replacements.
6. An Issue With Water Supplier
Before you start considering costly repairs and replacements, ask around. Are your neighbors encountering a similar issue? Do they have a low water pressure? If yes, you aren’t alone, and low water pressure isn’t something connected to your property.
Perhaps there is an unresolved issue at the end of the water supplier that needs fixation.
What to Do
Because you cannot fiddle with the main water supply, you must contact the water supplier to get to the root of the problem. Tell them you’re encountering a low water pressure issue and investigate whether they are working to fix it.
You might need to sign a petition if they refuse to address the issue. Yes, nobody imagines mobilizing because they couldn’t do their dishes last night, but it’s the only way to treat the problem at hand.
7. Clogged Water Pipes
Another possible reason behind low water pressure can be blocked pipes. One of the biggest telltale signs is that water flow is obstructed, and the pressure begins to drop immediately after you turn on the faucet.
Several reasons contribute to clogged pipes, from mineral deposits to debris accumulation and rust. This leads to blockages that disrupt the water flow. Gradually, the disruption causes water pressure to go down.
Besides, if you have galvanized pipes in the plumbing system, you’re more likely to experience clogs.
Galvanized steel is no longer a suitable material for pipes. Nonetheless, it is widely used across homes in the US.
You can always find out if you aren’t sure which pipes you have in your plumbing system. Simply get your hands on nickel and scratch the pipe’s surface to expose the original color.
If the pipe’s surface appears like a penny, it’s made of copper, another commonly used pipe material. However, if black color appears upon scratching, the pipes could be of plastic. The plastic pipes also have visible clamps for easier identification.
On the other hand, galvanized steel pipes are steel-gray in color. While you can continue to investigate, this is where your search will end.
Galvanized pipes were a leading culprit to pipe clogs and water pressure drop.
What to Do
The last thing you’d want to do is flush hazardous chemicals down the plumbing pipes, contaminating your water. What’s more, attempting to work on the pipes yourself might worsen the situation. For instance, you might pull them apart and fail to repair them, eventually knocking them loose.
You can always contact a licensed plumber to handle the clogged pipes. They’ll inspect the pipes to determine whether they need cleaning or replacement. Yes, it would cost you a few bucks, but it’s worth it instead of doing it yourself.
On a side note, experts typically recommend installing copper pipes to prevent frequent blocks and enjoy optimal water flow. However, they can get a bit pricey. So, consider taking professional advice as they might recommend you an affordable alternative.
8. The Main House Shutoff or Water Valve Isn’t Properly Open
Your home contains two primary shutoff valves regulating water flow to your property. The first is the meter valve, next to the water meter on the city supply pipe entering your home.
Generally, homeowners do not use this valve because the water company owns it. Hence, the water company personnel is responsible for controlling it.
However, if you notice a low water pressure throughout your property, there could be an issue with this valve – perhaps it isn’t fully open.
The next is the main shutoff valve located inside your home, typically closer to where the main city supply pipe serves your home via the foundation wall. The shutoff valve could be outdoors during summer.
Oftentimes, the main shutoff valve is left partially open during system repair. So, if your water faucets started acting up recently, it signals a partially opened shutoff valve.
What to Do
There’s no secret sauce to fixing this problem. You only need to ensure the valve is fully open. If this valve is like a wheel-like handle, it must be entirely turned in a counterclockwise direction.
On the other hand, if it’s a ball valve containing a level handle, the handle must be parallel to the pipe. Check the water pressure after fully opening the shutoff valve. The issue should be resolved if a partially opened valve was the culprit to low pressure.
Next, it’s time to inspect the meter valve if you recently had a water-related repair in your home and noticed a pressure drop. Look at these places for the valve.
- The wall outside your home
- Interior utility area
- The underground box between your street and home
- Basement
- Garage
Once you find the valve, it’s time to check if it’s fully open. The valve handle must be parallel to the water pipe. If it isn’t, the valve isn’t fully open. So ensure to bring the valve parallel to the water pipe and check if it changes the water pressure.
9. City Changes Its Regulations
Although it isn’t prevalent, your city might impose a few restrictions, lowering the water pressure. Once the water supplier is notified about the changes, they have no option but to adhere to the regulations stated by the city.
What to Do
You cannot do much to alter the city regulations. However, you can take a few steps to improve your water system. For instance, installing a water pressure booster system helps enhance the water flow.
While you can install them yourself, we recommend calling a professional to have them mounted correctly.
The size and age of pipes significantly determine proper booster installation. An experienced plumber can inspect the pipes and install one properly, improving the water pressure.
Can a Hot Water Heater Cause Low Water Pressure?
A hot water heater can cause low pressure in your home fixtures.
Here are a few reasons why this may happen.
- Mineral buildup. Your home water heater and attached pipes are susceptible to mineral deposit accumulation. Once the sediment builds up, it takes up too much space, restricting the water pressure. As a result, you encounter low water pressure issues in your home.
- Water heater valve. Every water heater comes with a shut-off valve. A closed or partially opened valve can lead to low water pressure around your property. Ensure to fully open the water heater valve to restore the pressure to optimal levels.
On a side note, tackling water pressure issues springing from the water heater can be challenging. So, consulting a professional would be best if you sense the heater needs repairs.
Can a Bad Faucet Cause Low Water Pressure?
Faulty faucets can significantly impact the water pressure in your home. You would likely encounter a low water pressure due to clogging or corrosion inside the fixture.
Hard mineral buildup – think magnesium and calcium – in faucets can easily affect the water pressure. For instance, the holes inside the showerhead easily get blocked due to residue accumulation.
Luckily, you can always clean the aerators by removing them and dipping them in vinegar overnight (refer to the “Clogged Faucet Aerators” section to know more). Removing the aerator also lets you inspect the faucet. Because an aerator is the ending point of a faucet, and here’s where the water flows outside, a faulty fixture tends to have mineral buildup here.
Consider sticking your finger inside the faucet to clean loose debris.
How Do I Test the Water Pressure In My House?
You can test the water pressure using a pressure gauge. Several local hardware stores sell the device to make water pressure testing easier.
Many homeowners assume they need to call a professional to test their home’s water pressure. However, this is something you can easily do yourself. Simply purchase a pressure gauge from a nearby hardware store and attach it to a hose faucet.
When testing the water pressure, turn off the rest of the faucets and water-utilizing appliances. This would help get a baseline reading. Generally, the water pressure should be between 30-80 psi.
Alternatively, you can use an even simpler method to test the water pressure. Say you want to purchase a home but forgot to bring the pressure gauge for testing. Turn on all the faucets inside the bathroom and flush the toilet. Now, observe the water pressure in the shower. If you notice a drop as the toilet fills, it indicates a low water pressure.
How Do I Increase Water Pressure At My House?
A quick fix to low water pressure is to fully open the water valve and make minor adjustments to your regulator.
There is no simple answer to increasing the water pressure in your home. That’s partly because water pressure issues vary per household, and each problem requires a unique solution.
For instance, if you experience a water pressure drop due to limescale buildup in the faucet aerator, adjusting the regulator won’t work at this point.
Refer to the “Reasons Why Your Water Pressure Is Low” section to determine your specific problem and approach it accordingly.
Where Is the Water Pressure Regulator In a House?
A water pressure regulator is typically situated close to where the main water line enters your home next to the shut-off valve.
Each water pressure regulator is equipped with a spring-loaded diaphragm. It helps reduce the water pressure within the valve body. Water flowing into the valve is reduced and then released at a restricted pressure.
You can always adjust the pressure regulator to improve the water pressure. However, a damaged pressure regulator requires a replacement.
Why Is the Water Pressure In My Bathroom Low?
Low water pressure in the bathroom generally happens due to faulty plumbing systems. However, a malfunctioning water heater, damaged pressure regulator, and clogged faucets are a few other known culprits.
You can quickly fix the clogged faucets by disassembling the aerator and cleaning the faucet and screen. However, a faulty water heater and pressure regulator require professional help.
