Water. It’s something you don’t realize how often you use it until your faucets aren’t working like they usually do. Whether it’s an indoor faucet—like low water pressure in your kitchen sink or bathroom—or an outdoor faucet, low water pressure isn’t something to ignore.
Not only does low water pressure slow down your day, taking longer to fill your bathtub or not cleaning your dishes in your dishwasher effectively, but it can also be a sign that something is in need of repair in your house.
Keep reading as we unpack the most common causes of low water pressure in your home and when it’s time to call a plumber.
What causes low water pressure in your home?
Low water pressure in your home can be caused by changes in your water supply, water valve issues, clogged or corroded pipes, a failing water pressure regulator, and old or non-functioning faucets.
Water Supply Changes
If you are on the city water supply line, your water pressure may have been adjusted, or the city may be experiencing issues. Your first line of defense is to call your water supplier to see if your water pressure has been adjusted recently or if there are any water main breaks or leaks that may be causing your low water pressure issues. You can also check with neighbors to see if they are experiencing similar issues.
If you have a well, your low water pressure could be caused by issues with your well pump, such as a blockage or switch malfunction, or it could be a leak or hole in the piping leading from your well to your water pump. Be sure to check your pump first as you are evaluating the causes of low water pressure in your home.
Water Valve Issues
If you’ve called your water supplier and neighbors, and your home seems to be the only one with low water pressure, it could be a water meter valve or water shut-off valve that’s to blame.
If you recently had work done on your home, or there was recent construction in your area, and your water supply had to be turned off, chances are that the water meter valve may not be completely turned on. This is not something that residents can adjust, so you’ll need to work with the city to get it checked out.
Be sure to also check your water shut-off valve. This is often located inside your home and is made of copper or pex with a lever-like handle. This handle needs to be flush/parallel with your pipe to be open. If it is turned even slightly to the side, it can limit your water supply (and cause low water pressure).
Clogged or Corroded Pipes
Clogs can happen to water supply lines, just like they do to your drain pipes. This means that your water supply lines could have clogs. You can help troubleshoot the clog location by checking different faucets in your home to determine if one or all of them have low water pressure to better identify your clog location.
In addition, pipes can corrode to the point that it is nearly impossible for water to flow through them. Check your pipes to see what they are made of. Galvanized, copper, and steel pipes all corrode, with lifespans ranging from 20 to 70 years, depending on the type of metal they are made of, as well as how many minerals are in your water. If you have an older home, there’s a good chance your pipes may be getting near the end of their lifespan.
Contact the Professionals at Watters Plumbing Today
If you are noticing issues with your water pressure, contact the Fox Cities plumbing professionals at Watters Plumbing today! Our team will review your fixtures and water supply line to ensure you have optimal pressure for your home.
Our 24-hour experts are a phone call away for emergency plumbing services. If your water pressure goes out, call our team at (920) 204-7517 to get help from our team as soon as possible.
Contact us today for water pressure maintenance.
