Why Do I Have Low Water Pressure?
Low water pressure turns ordinary daily activities such as showering and washing the dishes into frustrating, time-consuming tasks. Before you can hope to find a solution, you need to pinpoint the cause.
Here are five possible reasons why your faucets have slowed to a trickle:
- Partially closed valves: Hopefully, fixing your low water pressure problem is as simple as adjusting a few valves. A partially closed water meter valve (located underground near the street), main water shutoff valve (located somewhere inside your home), or other water supply valves (installed behind toilets and under sinks) could be restricting water flow. Make sure these are turned counterclockwise as far as they will go. You may also need to have your water-pressure regulator adjusted by a plumber.
- Debris and mineral buildup: Sand, dirt, and other debris can make their way into your pipes if a water main becomes fractured. Even with undamaged plumbing, water can leave behind mineral deposits that restrict the flow through pipes, faucets, and showerheads. A seemingly small amount of sediment is often enough to noticeably decrease your water pressure. Try cleaning faucet and showerhead aerators to remove mineral buildup and improve water flow.
- Plumbing leak: A serious plumbing leak can divert water away from the faucet and result in low water pressure. Depending on where the leak is located, it could also cause water damage to your home or landscape. Fix the leak to prevent damage and hopefully restore good water pressure.
- Pipe corrosion: Today’s modern steel and galvanized water pipes are only intended to last 20 years. After this, the pipes start to naturally corrode from the inside out, blocking the flow of water as a result. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to solve this problem aside from replacing your pipes.
- Municipal water supply problem: Sometimes the problem is more widespread and affects your home along with several of your neighbors all at once. As with the pipes in your home, low water pressure originating at the municipal water supply could be caused by debris buildup, corrosion, or plumbing leaks. Fortunately, when the problem lies with your water supplier, you’re not responsible for footing the repair bill.
If you need help identifying and solving your low water pressure problem, contact Arctic Air Conditioning. Schedule an appointment for water pressure repair today and get back to living life comfortably and conveniently.
