If water seems to flow slower than usual when you turn on the tap, it’s probably not your imagination. Low water pressure is a problem that can affect any home for many different reasons. Depending on where the underlying problem is located, you could be experiencing low water pressure at a single source or throughout your entire home.
5 Reasons Why Your Home Has Low Water Pressure
Let’s go over a few common reasons why homes develop problems with low water pressure. Before we do, however, understand that the easiest and quickest way to solve this problem is to call a plumber for help. Only an experienced professional has the knowledge and skill necessary to identify the underlying cause of low water pressure and fix it with a long-lasting solution!
1. Broken Pressure Regulator
If you’re experiencing low water pressure throughout your whole home, the problem can lie with the pressure regulator – if you have one. Not all homes have this device, which adjusts water flow coming into your home to protect your pipes. If yours doesn’t, check out the other reasons below.
If your home does have a pressure regulator and you believe it’s the cause of your home’s low water pressure, the best thing to do is to contact a plumber. With a professional inspection and repair service, you can restore the normal flow of water to your home.
2. Pipe Corrosion & Blockages
Two similar reasons for general or localized low water pressure are pipe corrosion and blockages. If your home’s water pressure seems like it’s much less than you’re used to getting, it’s possible that mineral buildup from hard water is restricting water flow in your pipes. This can gradually occur over a very long period of time, so you may not even notice the slow decline in water pressure until you can’t help but notice it.
In some cases, blockages from plant roots can also cause low water pressure. This can happen when small roots, which are always seeking water, find their way into your home’s water pipes through small cracks or even between pipe fittings. If they’re successful, these roots will grow larger and attract more roots to your pipes. Over time, this can cause blockages that impede water flow.
3. Plumbing Leaks
A common and very problematic culprit when it comes to low water pressure is a plumbing leak. When you aren’t getting water out of your tap at the force and volume you’re used to getting, it can be a sign that there’s a leak somewhere in your plumbing system. The problem is that it can be virtually anywhere because your home’s whole plumbing system relies on water pressure to work.
If you think a leak could be the root cause of your low water pressure woes, don’t hesitate to contact an expert plumber to help you locate the source of the leak and repair it.
4. Water Shutoff Valve
A water shutoff valve controls water flow into your home. Closing the valve stops water from flowing into your home, which makes it possible to do plumbing work without getting water everywhere.
If you’ve recently done some DIY plumbing or had other kinds of work done on your home, it’s worth it to check your water shutoff valve yourself. In some cases where homes suddenly suffered from low or no water pressure, someone forgot to re-open the water shutoff valve or didn’t do so completely.
5. Water Supplier Problems
Sometimes low water pressure happens when your water supplier is experiencing difficulties. In this case, the problem doesn’t lie with any aspect of your home’s plumbing, but rather with whatever is happening at the water source.
If you don’t suspect your plumbing is to blame, talk to a few of your neighbors and see if they’re also having problems with low water pressure. If so, then the problem may very well be with the supplier. You can call the water company to learn more about the situation or wait a few hours to see if conditions improve.
Call Carter Quality Plumbing, LLC
When you notice low water pressure plaguing your home, you can call the experts at Carter Quality Plumbing, LLC for help. With our professional plumbing inspection and repair services, we can address any issue in your home that’s causing low water pressure.
For more information or to request an appointment, call (803) 998-2270 now for help!