The water pressure in your home’s plumbing system is probably something you assume will always remain the same. When you turn on the shower, run the kitchen faucet, or use a hose in the backyard, you expect the water to come out with enough force to be useful.
But nothing is guaranteed when it comes to water pressure. You may discover one day the water is only trickling from the showerhead, making your daily shower much more difficult. Cleaning the dishes in the kitchen sink becomes tough as well with low water pressure. What could be causing this, and does it mean you should call for a Doylestown, PA plumber?
First, Is the Water Pressure Low at Only One Fixture?
The first thing to check when you discover low water pressure from a fixture is to check other fixtures to see if this is a house-wide problem. If only one fixture is experiencing the trouble, check on the aerator for the fixture; it may be filled with silt and sediment. There may also be a leak in the supply line to the fixture, so look for indications of water damage. The fixture may have its own supply line valve that has gotten stuck.
Possible Causes of House-Wide Low Pressure
If you’ve found the problem with low water pressure is occurring around the house at the different fixtures, there are a number of possibilities:
- Municipal problem – Check with your neighbors to find out if they are also dealing with low water pressure. If they are, the issue is coming from the municipal supply. Call the utility company to notify them and find out when the issue will be resolved.
- Stuck water main valve – There are two valves on the water main entering your house, one on each side of the water meter. The first is usually outside, next to the meter, and the other is in the garage or basement. Check to see if the valve is all the way open. It may have become stuck and cut off water flow.
- Sediment build up – The development of sediment from hard water minerals can cause restrictions on water flow and create a drop in water pressure. This will require extensive descaling; it’s also recommended you have a water softener installed.
- Pressure regulator valve failure – If you live in a house that has water pressure that’s too high coming from the municipal system, a pressure regulator is in place to control it. If this valve fails, it may end up lowering the water pressure.
- Major leaks in the water main – Look over your property to see if there is water pooling in one area. This may indicate a break in the water line—a major emergency repair!
Solving many of these problems will require having a professional plumber on the job. And when in doubt, always make the call to a licensed plumber. You can count on our excellent plumbers to have your water pressure restored to normal.