In an earlier post we discussed the common causes of low water pressure. Now let's go into more detail to explain how you can pinpoint and possibly fix the problem. If you want to test your water pressure, you can also read this post to learn how to do that: How to Check Household Water Pressure.
Are the valves partially closed?
This is the easiest possible solution for low water pressure. Start my making sure the shut-off valve on your main water supply is completely open. These valves are often found right where plumbing enters the house. You may also find valves at the cold water inlet for your water heater. You may find one of two common types: the gate valve or the ball valve.
A ball valve has a long handle that indicates the position of a small ball diverter inside the pipe. If the handle is lined up with the pipe, water is flowing freely. If it's turned 90 degrees, water is completely shut off. Any position of the handle between this will restrict the flow of water.
Gate valves have a rotary handle that determines the position of a small gate inside the pipe. Turning the valve clockwise will close this gate and stop the flow of water. The valve needs to be turned all the way to the left to pen the gate fully.
Is it the PRV?
Many homes have a pressure reducing valve (PRV) or a backflow preventer installed. A PRV has a number of small parts that regulate water pressure going into your home and these parts can fail over time, causing the flow of water in your home to become restricted. Before disassembling the valve, make sure you water is completely turned off. If your PRV is installed before the main shut off, you'll need to have the water turned off at the meter first. Many times these parts become corroded and require complete replacement. While you can do this job yourself, you may want to hire a qualified plumber.
Are the pipes corroded?
Steel and galvanized pipes often start to clog with mineral build-ups or become corroded after about 20 years. There is no way to fix this problem without replacing the piping. Unfortunately, this is an expensive and very time-intensive job that requires a professional. Most of the time, houses with internally corroded pipes have full flow fixtures in the home so flow restrictors and aerators installed on shower heads and facuets may appear to help the problem while you're showering or using the sink.
If you suspect corroded pipes or a failed PRV, contact the professionals at Inland Empire Plumbing right away to get the problem taken care of before it gets worse.
Is there anything as wonderful as turning on your shower in the morning and feeling a nice strong blast of hot water? Unfortunately, an issue of low water pressure can give you little more than a limp drizzle of water. This problem doesn't just occur with shower heads, either; you may notice low water pressure, or low flow, at any faucet in your home.
There are a few possible causes for this problem so let's go over them one by one and help you decide when you need to contact a plumber in California.
Single sink faucet problems
If the problem is occurring with just a single sink faucet, it may be one of three things:
- Faucet supply valve. The problem may be caused by the supply valve not being open all the way. This valve is located under the sink and has a handle to turn. Make sure the valve is turned all the way to the left (but don't force it!). You can also check if any flexible plastic tubes under the sink have a kink or have become crushed.
- Faucet aerotor. If your faucet has an aerator (and most do) it may be clogged. This aerator is threaded onto the end so try removing it and look for debris like sand or mineral build up. Clean it then reinstall, testing both the hot and cold water.
- Defective faucet. The issue may also be caused by a defective faucet. Follow manufacturer instructions to clean your faucet or contact a plumber from Inland Empire Plumbing who installs faucets to take care of the problem.
Whole house problems
If you notice the problem with every fixture in your home, there could be many possible causes, including corroded piping, a failed pressure relief valve or a valve that's left partially closed. In this case you'll want to contact a professional.
A note about low water pressure:
Low water pressure actually refers to low flow when at least one of the fixtures in your house aren't giving you enough water flow. While there's a relationship between pressure and flow, you can have good water pressure and still notice low flow problems.
In the next post we'll go over how to test your water pressure and explain in more detail some of these problems, including PRV or backflow preventors and how to fix partially closed valves.
Image: Steven Dopolo
