9 Reasons Your Home Has Low Water Pressure

Water pressure issues can be a significant inconvenience when you try to bathe or do dishes in your home. We use so much water without thinking about it, until issues arise, we may not pay much attention to our water pressure. There are plenty of reasons you may be experiencing low pressure, but here are ten of the most common.

You have a leak

Leaks aren’t always easy to catch, like when your basement starts to flood. Sometimes it can be a bit trickier to find where the leak may be happening, or it’s just a tiny leak impacting the pressure in your home. You’ll want to inspect for any forms of water damage on your walls or ceilings. Suppose you happen to have underground sprinklers or an irrigation system. In that case, you may need to hire a professional to help you out if that’s what’s leaking. If you can determine whether there is a small leak, it can potentially be a quick fix. Calling a trustworthy plumber as soon as possible is ideal when you have any leak on your hands.

Your fixtures are outdated.

When you’re buying a new home, it’s essential to check the efficiency of your fixtures, as older fixtures can lead to low water pressure. Over time, there can be a build-up of rust, limestone, sediment, or mineral deposits, so you may want to invest in replacing them as soon as you take possession. If you notice that the water pressure seems lower in just certain fixtures, that could be the culprit.

To check your fixtures, turn each of them on and check how the pressure is. Ensuring your aerators and screens are clear of debris will help, and if they are damaged or clogged, you may have to replace them. When replacing your fixtures, you want to ensure they are the correct size, as that can cause problems down the road.

Your water softener may not be functioning correctly

If your water pressure has suddenly changed, your water softener may be the culprit. Hiring a professional to perform maintenance on it will be essential if this is the case.

You may have clogged pipes

We always notice when the top of our drains are clogged. Clogs can happen anywhere in your piping, including in the depths of your home’s plumbing. Even the tiniest clog can cause your water pressure to decrease. If you can’t easily get to the clog, you will need to call a plumber since it could be anywhere, including under your home. Unless you’re skilled, you don’t want to be taking pipes apart trying to find the clog. You could potentially cause a lot more damage. It’s also not advisable to put any harsh chemicals down your drains to clear out any clogs, even if they’re advertised as safe.

The main shut-off valve may be stuck

There is a main shut-off valve to your home, likely where the main water pipe enters your home. It could be partially closed, allowing less water to pass through, thus making your water pressure weaker.

Your pipes may be corroded

Depending on when your home was built, you may need to update your piping. Galvanized steel pipes do expire, and they can become corroded after around 20 years. Copper pipes can last around 50 years before rusting. Brass pipes are great for about 40 to 70 years before any corrosion occurs. Suppose you’ve purchased an older home or a home that’s been completely renovated recently. In that case, you will want to ensure that the pipes have been maintained or replaced. Older homes may require repiping if there is significant damage or enough to impact the water pressure in your home. If there’s an area in your home that was added after the initial build, like a finished basement, additional bathroom, or a relocated laundry room, you may be at higher risk for corroded pipes. When plumbing fixtures are added to an established home, those particular pipes work a bit harder and can experience corrosion faster. You can’t necessarily spot corrosion from the exterior of the pipes, so knowing how old they are and what type they are is crucial.

Your main shut-off valve isn’t completely opened

Suppose you’ve checked all the other common problems related to low water pressure, and your neighbors aren’t experiencing it. In that case, you may want to check your main water shut-off valve. Knowing where your main shut-off valve is located is essential as a homeowner, and when it’s not all the way open, it can cause low water pressure. You likely haven’t had to touch the valve unless you’ve had flooding or a burst pipe, so you may not think about this valve.

There’s a build-up of minerals

You could potentially have a build-up of minerals in your plumbing or sediment build-up in your hot water tank. Especially in older homes, mineral build-up from tap water can impact your pipes, cause corrosion, and lower your water pressure. If you feel there is a build-up of minerals based on the age of your home or there’s corrosion in your pipes, you’ll want to call a professional. If you have sediment in your water heater, it could be causing water pressure issues. You will want to ensure you have regular maintenance performed on it to avoid this issue.

Your water pressure regulator may be broken

Your pressure regulator could have bitten the dust. It is the primary control of pressure between the water coming into your home. When it’s faulty, it can wreak havoc.

With the ease of using water in our everyday lives, we don’t notice how much we use water until it’s not working correctly. When our home has low water pressure, it can be a significant inconvenience, and at its worst, it can impede your water access entirely. So it would be better if you consult with a professional before taking any actions by yourself.

Sources:

https://www.mrrooter.com/greater-syracuse/about-us/blog/2019/may/what-causes-low-water-pressure-/

https://www.foreverhomes.ca/10-tips-maintaining-new-home/

https://www.thespruce.com/home-water-pressure-problems-2718730

https://bluejayirrigation.com/backflow-testing/

https://www.reallistingagent.com/blog/2021/6/18/9-reasons-your-home-has-low-water-pressure