Water pressure can be a thorny topic for some, and everyone seems to have an opinion. Whether you enjoy a shower that feels like a gentle rain or you prefer your faucets to blast you like a firehose, it's never fun to discover a sudden decrease in water pressure. Changes in water pressure can often be signs of significant plumbing issues, so you should never ignore them when they crop up.
Not all water pressure problems require professional plumbing assistance, but many do. Keep reading to learn how you can address low water pressure, and when you should call for help.
Understanding Your Home's Water Pressure
If your home uses municipal water, then the pressure in your home will depend on the design of your town's water supply. In most cases, your municipal water company will supply far more water pressure to your home than you can reasonably use. Because the water supply pressure is so high, your home will have an adjustable regulator that controls the plumbing flow rate in your house.
Water pressure in homes supplied by well water works a little differently. In these cases, a pressure tank controls the amount of pressure at your fixtures. Your well pump runs until the tank reaches its maximum pressure and then shuts down until it reaches its minimum pressure. You may notice water pressure in your home varying slightly as the tank level fluctuates because of this design.
Common Sources of Trouble
A change in water pressure can spell trouble, but it's not always a cause for concern. With city water, variations can sometimes occur due to supply problems. If you notice reduced water pressure throughout your home, this may be the cause. You can usually call your water supplier to determine if there is a problem. Adjusting your regulator is another option.
Unfortunately, whole-house pressure problems can also result from a failing pressure regulator or a leak or clog in your main supply line. Both of these are severe problems that will require professional help to resolve. Likewise, water pressure issues localized to a single room or fixture are typically the result of a leak or clog in your interior plumbing.
Recognizing When You Need Help
Anytime you notice a water pressure issue, you should ask three questions:
If there isn't a supply problem, you cannot adjust your regulator to restore pressure, or the problem seems limited to one area, then you may need professional assistance. In these cases, calling in a plumber as soon as possible can help you to locate the problem quickly. Not only will this restore your water pressure, but it can also prevent water damage caused by a hidden leak. Look for a local professional for plumbing assistance.
Share16 October 2020
My homes have always had either copper or PVC plumbing pipes. But when my plumbing system needed an overhaul last spring, I wanted a piping system for my home that I could work on myself when needed. There were a lot of good reasons to choose PEX piping, but my favorite thing about the PEX piping is that it's easy to work with, even if you're a beginner like me. Now I can make small repairs myself instead of calling the plumber every time I have a minor leak or other small problem. I still call the plumber for the big stuff, but it's more affordable now that I can take care of small issues myself. I started this blog to help others learn how they, too, can do DIY plumbing repairs at home.