PUT ON DETECTIVE CAP TO FIND SOURCE OF WATER WOES
Low pressure in your home could be caused by deposits in pipes, faulty valves or heater
Nothing ruins a nice hot shower like when someone flushes the toilet in the second bathroom, and the pressure in your shower drops, simultaneously hitting you with a shock of hot water. You don’t tend to think about your water pressure, until it becomes an issue — and when it does, it’s something you’ll want to solve quickly.
When your water pressure struggles, it’s time to put on your detective cap and figure out the source of your issue, which will tell you the best route to restoring things to normal.
Here’s the lowdown on your low water pressure:
ALL TAPPED OUT
Your first step should be to examine the extent of your water pressure woes. Test all the faucets in your home. Do all of them struggle to provide enough pressure?
Do cold water taps flow properly, while the hot faucets keep to a trickle? Does your pressure only suffer if there are multiple water sources switched on, like a shower that loses pressure when the toilet flushes?
These clues can help you source the root of your pressure problems. Once you’ve determined the scope of your water pressure problem, there are a number of ways you can get your water flowing freely once again.
CAUSES AND FIXES
If your water pressure is low in one tap only, it could just need a good cleaning. Debris or corrosion could be affecting your faucet’s aerator. The aerator is an insert that fits inside the faucet’s cap that is designed to reduce splashing from your tap. When it gets clogged, it can restrict water flow, or severely reduce the pressure. It’s a pretty simple fix, and one you could probably handle on your own. Remove the cap from the tap, pull out the aerator, check that the rubber washer hasn’t become dislodged creating a damming effect, finally, rinse and clean out the aerator. (For caked-in gunk, you may need a small pin to clear out the tiny holes in the unit.)
Are several faucets providing low pressure? This could be an issue with your pressure-reducing valve (PRV) or main water shut-off valve. PRVs are common in municipal systems where the water pressure exceeds 80 pounds per square inch (psi). When water pressure is too high, it could cause damage to your pipes and fixtures. Try adjusting your valve to see if it affects the water pressure in your home — if not, the unit may need replacing all together. Check your shut-off valve, even if it’s slightly closed, it can have an effect on your water pressure, so make sure it’s fully opened.
IS IT TIME TO REPLACE?
If you’re finding that you’re only having issues with providing hot water at a steady stream, the problem could lie with your heater. I have a lot of calcium in my water supply, and that leads to a lot of scale buildup in my appliances. In fact, I had to replace a brand new water heater after four years because scale broke down the barrel inside my system.
Look for evidence of leaks around your home. Think of it like a horror movie: if you’re sure the source of the water is coming from inside the house, your pipes could be the villain. In older homes, especially, galvanized steel pipes corrode from the inside, and the deposits buildup, restricting water flow through the pipes.
If you’re in a home that still uses galvanized steel, you will want to consider replacing the old piping with either copper or PEX. Bring in a professional to do this, as plumbing isn’t a job for the inexperienced.
Have you had any plumbing work done recently? If you’re only noticing pressure problems after a renovation, I hate to say it, but you probably hired the wrong plumber.
By using the wrong sized piping, adding too many elbows, bad joints, or supply lines, they can make a real mess of your plumbing system. Eventually, you’ll have to scrap it all and make the replacements — this time, using the right guy.
Stop getting shocked by your shower. When you notice a problem with your water pressure, start the hunt for the source.
And when you figure it out, now you’ve got the tools to make it right.