Low water pressure is inevitable as your home’s plumbing systems begin to age. It can be very frustrating when all you have is a trickle of water from your taps and showers. To wash dishes and rinse shampoo out of your hair, high water pressure is very key.
But what’s it that cause low water pressure in your home? In this write-up, we delve into the causes and problems related to low water pressure in the home.
Mineral Build-Up
If you use hard water in your home, you are likely to expose your pipes to the build-up of deposits. As the water passes through the pipe, the minerals build up with time coating the pipe in the inner walls. Eventually, the pipe will have only a small space for the water to flow through. This creates low water pressure. So mineral build-up in the pipes is an obvious cause of low water pressure.
Clogs
When minerals build up on the inner surface of the pipes, the reduced space may end up trapping debris and hair thus clogging up the system. This may cause low water pressure inside your house. It may even lead to bursts in the pipes due to pressure build-up behind the clog. While this can be hard to diagnose, it is easy to get rid of. All you need to do is clean the pipes.
Obstructed Shutoff Valves
The shutoff valve is usually connected to the water meter on both sides. When these valves become obstructed, they can lead to a small amount of water passing through to your house. The problem should be a slightly loosened screw on the valve. This can greatly reduce the water pressure in your home and you should open it up to resolve the problem.
Pressure Regulator Problems
The pressure regulator controls how fast the water flows into your home. It is usually placed at the connection of your water line to the municipal water system. If the regulator is improperly set or has a mechanical fault, it could drastically reduce the water pressure in your home. You may have to reset the valve to increase the water pressure.
Clogged Aerator
The low water pressure could be emanating from just one of the faucets in your home. The aerator, which works to prevent splashing, could be the major culprit. What you should do is remove the aerator and then turn on the tap. If the water gets back to normal, then you have just found the cause of the problem.
Malfunction of the Municipal Water Supply
If you have tried everything and you still have low water pressure in your home, it could be that your neighbors have the same issue. Ask them. There could be a problem with the municipal water supply system in your area. Issues such as clogs and mineral build-up cannot be overruled. You are not in control of the situation and so all you can do is report to the concerned authorities.
Contact Southeast Edmonton Plumbers for more information on plumbing systems installation and repair. We operate in Southeast Edmonton and the surrounding areas.
