What Causes Decreased Water Pressure?
Ever been in the shower and lost pressure as someone turned on the washing machine? Ever tried to fill a sink to wash dishes only to have to wait too long for the sink to fill? Water pressure issues are a common plumbing malady that can have a variety of causes, all leading to the same frustrating condition.
Instead of living with low water pressure, dealing with the problem permanently can be an easy fix. Here is a quick list of local plumbing contractors' common causes of low water pressure. Follow this list to troubleshoot the cause of low water pressure in a home.
Too Many Leaks
In the case of the shower and the washing machine, the shower loses pressure because the washing machine hogs water pressure from the shower. The same thing happens when leaks are present in a plumbing system. A single leak won't cause a huge drop in pressure, but having too many can cause problems with the water pressure, not to mention jacking up water bills.
Always fix leaks as they are noticed. Leaks can occur anywhere in a plumbing system so take time to inspect everything visible. Often leaks are simply dripping faucets, but leaks can be hidden, too. Look for signs of hidden leaks like:
- Musty odors
- Wet spots in the lawn
- An influx of insects in the home
- Mold and humidity problems
- Wet floors
- Ruined walls
Pipe Clogs and a Buildup of Scale
Metal piping has fallen out of favor with plumbing codes due to its ability to erode and form scale. However, there is still metal piping serving many homes in the area. Over time, the inside of metal pipes can corrode and cause flow restrictions, leading to water pressure loss. Chunks of corrosion can also break off and clog aerators in individual fixtures. Replacing old piping with new plastic-based alternatives can ease this problem.
Similar to corrosion, mineral scale can cause identical problems. Mineral scale is natural in domestic water sources, but it can be dealt with more easily by installing water softeners.
Problems in Fixtures or Broken Valves
The difference between this cause and the others on the list is that this cause is usually artificial and not the consequence of normal plumbing conditions that happen over time. One big mistake in plumbing is turning off water to a fixture or a section of the home for plumbing repairs and then failing to reopen the shutoff valve all the way. This can also happen when shutting off water to the home at the water meter valve, which causes a loss of pressure to the whole home. Always check shutoff valves when troubleshooting water pressure issues. In very rare cases, valves can fail to shut or slowly shut over time due to vibrations in the pipe.
Of course, problems like these can also happen naturally. Wear and tear inside fixtures can cause pressure losses to a single point-of-use like a shower or sink. In these cases, fixtures will need to be repaired or replaced to return water pressure to the fixture.
About Drain Nerds
Looking for a plumber with smarter solutions to plumbing problems? Drain Nerds in Fort Myers, FL offers guaranteed service from qualified technicians. Call today and schedule an appointment for upfront pricing and fast turnarounds on sewer and drain service.
