Water pressure refers to the force that pushes fluid through your plumbing system. Scientists measure water pressure in pounds per square inch (PSI). According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the ideal range for residential water pressure is 45-60 PSI. Water pressure that falls below 40 PSI can make it harder to complete everyday household tasks like showering, washing dishes, or using laundry machines. While the occasional drop in water pressure might not seem like a big deal, consistently low water pressure may indicate more serious plumbing problems, such as hidden leaks. A look at the most common causes of low water pressure and how to resolve the problem can help ensure optimal plumbing system performance.
Common Causes of Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure can be caused by several factors, including clogged or corroded pipes, faulty shut-off valves, plumbing leaks, pressure regulator problems, municipal issues, or a clogged water heater.
Clogged Pipes
Clogged pipes are among the most typical causes of low water pressure. Over time, minerals or sediments within water can accumulate on the walls of your plumbing. This occurrence is especially common in regions with hard water. The mineral or limestone buildup can affect pipes, restricting flow and reducing water pressure. In addition to minerals or sediment, clogged pipes can also result from corrosion.
Older pipes made of metals like iron or galvanized steel are susceptible to oxidation after years of exposure to moisture. This natural reaction of metal and water can cause the pipes to rust and corrode. Corrosion can inhibit water flow, lower water pressure, and eventually cause obstructions that necessitate pipe replacement.
Faulty Shut-Off Valve
The main water shut-off valve controls the flow of water into your home. Water enters through this opening and then flows to smaller individual shut-off valves connected to faucets, fixtures, and appliances. If the main water shut-off valve is faulty or closed, it can limit flow and result in low water pressure throughout the house. Defects in the smaller shut-off valves can also affect water pressure at access points like sinks, showers, toilets, dishwashers, or laundry machines.
Faulty Water Meter Valve
In addition to the main shut-off valve, your home also has a water meter valve. This device measures and controls water intake for your house. Since the water company or utility authority installs this valve, many homeowners never deal with the device directly. In some cases, the valve is located underground or in similar places that are difficult for the average person to reach. Suddenly drops in water pressure can mean that the valve is failing or has undergone damage outdoors.
Plumbing Leaks
Hidden leaks can drastically lower water pressure by diverting or misdirecting the flow of water away from faucets and fixtures. These leaks can occur in pipes behind walls, beneath floors, or even in underground plumbing beneath the slab of your home. Signs of plumbing leaks include moisture stains on ceilings or walls, pools of water on flooring, or unusually high water bills.
Undersized Branch Lines
Branch lines are smaller pipes that help distribute water to specific fixtures in your house. If the demand for water in your house has increased, the branch lines may struggle to keep up with the required flow rate. As a result, you may notice low water pressure at specific sinks or fixtures.
Pressure Regulator Issues
The pressure regulator is a device that helps monitor and control the pressure of water entering your home from the outside main line. Since outside water pressure is typically high and incompatible with the range recommended for residential plumbing, the pressure regulator helps make it more suitable for your home. If the pressure regulator is older or defective, however, it can fail to establish the proper range and cause low water pressure within your house.
Municipal Water Supply Problems
Changes in the municipal water supply can also affect residential water pressure. Maintenance work, aging infrastructure, or higher demands during peak hours can all affect the amount of incoming water for homes. For instance, old or deteriorated city pipes can contain corrosion that slows down flow and weakens water pressure. In addition, changes to city regulations or utility company rules that limit daily output can also impact the amount of water flowing into individual households.
Neglected Water Heater
If members of your household notice low water pressure only when using hot water, the problem could stem from sediment buildup within your water heater. Traditional water heaters keep an ongoing supply of hot water in a storage tank. Over time, particles and minerals from hard water can accumulate and form a layer or barrier at the bottom of the tank. This buildup restricts water flow and disrupts the delivery of hot water to designated fixtures in the house. To avoid this problem, plumbers recommend routine flushing of the water heater. Neglecting to perform this recommended maintenance task may eventually result in low water pressure.
How to Fix Low Water Pressure
Fixing low water pressure usually requires the intervention of a licensed plumber. A trained plumber has the education and equipment necessary to diagnose the heart of the issue. Typically, a plumber begins the process by using a water pressure gauge to accurately measure the PSI of water entering your home. Then, the plumber may test for low water pressure at individual fixtures and check the main water meter located outside of the home.
After determining the severity of the low water pressure issue, the plumber can provide solutions for individual causes. For example, removing clogs using plumber’s snakes or industrial tools can eliminate obstructions from pipes. Using equipment like video camera inspection, plumbers can also locate and seal leaks in the system. If your plumbing has corrosion, the plumber may need to replace the affected pipes or upgrade your entire system with newer materials like copper or PEX to improve water flow. Plumbers can replace old fixtures that may otherwise impact flow rate or help you upgrade to larger branch lines to improve water pressure.
A plumber also has the expertise needed to correct outdoor shut-off valves, regulators, or connected meters. They even can flush your water heater to remove hardened sediment buildup or replace it with an on-demand water heater if this option makes more sense for your household. After your plumber has addressed individual issues, you may also ask about installing a booster pump to help increase overall water pressure in your house’s system.
Contact Us Today
A/C & Plumbing Doctors provides water pressure and plumbing services for homes in Gilbert, AZ, and surrounding areas. We can install reverse osmosis water filtration systems to remove sediment and ensure the purity of your drinking water. We also install water softeners to eliminate the negative effects of hard water. Our other services include water heaters, drain cleaning, sewer repair, leak detection, and more. Contact A/C & Plumbing Doctors today for all your plumbing or HVAC needs.
