One thing’s for sure: no household deserves low water pressure. This might not be obvious at first but it becomes an issue when you find yourself in the bathroom and kitchen and getting less than perfect water pressure. One possible reason for low water pressure is newly-installed fixtures. But if the change in the pressure is sudden and erratic, this could very well mean a problem in one of your pipes. It’s good if you spot the root of problem early on, so you can say goodbye to that low water pressure problem already.

Faucet Design

It’s perfectly normal in a recently built house to have low water pressure. Older houses often make use of a faucet assembly that involves a washer and valve seat that determines its opening and closing. Water flow is controlled by how far away you twist the handle that, in turn, pulls the washer farther away from the valve seat. The wider the gap between the two, the bigger the opening is for the water to flow. On the other hand, newer houses are equipped with fixtures that comply with the new mandatory water-saving guidelines. The one main difference is the absence of washers. What replaces are cartridges that have aerators at their end, controlling the water flow. These flow restrictors however are prone to clogging whenever there is residue buildup, and this further limits the water pressure remarkably. Water, no matter how treated and purified still has carries particles, sediments, and tiny solid deposits which can block the holes and add to the low water pressure.

Besides the clog in the aerators/flow restrictors, another possible reason for low water pressure, especially in your hot shower, is a defective anti-scald valve. Simply have your plumber replace and reinstall the fixture for you.

Pipe Trouble

Another possible and hidden reason for low water pressure is bad burst pipes. If your pipes have been seriously burst, it will leak and consequently deflect the flow and pressure of water into your faucets. You might not know it but you are actually wasting water and still paying for it. In worst cases, the burst pipes can also serve as entry points for chunks of soil (loaded with microorganisms), causing your pipes’ clogging. Not only that, but this now tainted water supply can pose health risks for your family, so not only do you suffer from low water pressure, you also can be poisoned by it. If you suspect a burst pipe as a reason, immediately call an emergency plumber who will be more than happy to come to your rescue. This might involve a major overhauling though, so be ready for the expenses, which will be worth it in the long run anyway. No more water pressure loss, no more wasted water and high water bills, and you have the peace of mind from using only safe water.

City Repairs

Then again, there just might be some repairs going on at the moment in your city, and the water company has turned the main valve off. Ask your neighbors to check whether they too have a pesky low water pressure problem or you’re the only one suffering from it. One commonly overlooked area is your house’s main water valve which controls the water supply into your home. So before you make a call and hire an emergency plumber, go check if your main water valve isn’t partially or fully closed. Have a look at your water pressure regulator and see if a simple adjustment in such as loosening a nut can do instant wonders for your water pressure problem. Just don’t set it too high because that would put undue pressure on your pipes and make them burst and turn the whole thing into a bigger plumbing problem.

In extreme cases, you may need to contact an emergency plumber to look into the water pressure problem. Their expertise in this field will help you understand the causes better especially when these are unique only to your home.

Put an end to your Low Water Pressure problems now! Call our best Licensed Plumbers for absolutely free consultation. This article, Low Water Pressure In Your Home; What Are The Causes? is released under a creative commons attribution licence.