Poor water pressure is very common. Usually, people do not bother if there is poor pressure of water because they think that at least water is coming. The situation gets worst when you are taking shower and suddenly your shower stopped working means no water is coming out. Moreover, you may experience the poorest pressure of water from the tap during washing dishes. It is a quite frustrating task to know the actual problem. There are several reasons for low water pressure. The inspection of the problem is easy if you are experiencing low water pressure at a single point at your commercial or home building. If the entire building is facing the issue of poor water pressure then, the plumbing problem is bigger and you need a plumbing professional to fix it. Compound Services, Battle Ground offers 24-hours professional plumbing services with a team of trained plumbers.
There are various reasons for poor water pressure beyond drain obstructions and clogs. You need to identify the reasons behind low water pressure and fix it. Following are the major reasons behind poor water pressure:
- Gravity
Gravity may be the reason for low water pressure if you are in a multistory commercial building, condo, or apartment. Higher elevation lowers the water flow. Gravity resists upward water flow and it travels by force.
- Poor Softeners and Malfunctioning Water Filters
Faulty water filters do not provide quality performance and result in poor water pressure. Similarly, water softeners also resist water when they malfunction.
Solution: Replace your softeners or water filters immediately if they are faulty. Sometimes, you need to replace the entire unit for replacing softener or a new filter.
- Water-preserving Devices
Water-preserving maneuvers such as showerheads and regular faucets usually face poor water pressure. This is a common problem in every home.
Solution: If your showerhead or regular faucet is providing low-water pressure then, you must check whether it is blocked or not. If it is blocked, then try to open it with a thin pin or needle. Still, your problem is not fixed then reinstall your regular faucet and showerhead.
- Frozen Pipes
You may experience frozen pipes during the severe winter season. In this weather, frozen pipes either stop water flow or resist water pressure. As a result, there is low water pressure.
Solution: Go for manual heating to warm up pipes. For the future, consider pipe insulation. Insulated pipes reduce the freezing chances.
- Defective Fixtures
Plumbing fixtures may get defective due to mineral buildup or debris accumulation. The problem of defective fixtures is common around the world.
Solution: Clean your plumbing fixtures after uninstalling them from the devices. You can replace your plumbing fixture it is necessary. Usually, plumbing fixtures are cheap and easily available in the market. Therefore, you can reinstall new fixtures.
- Rust or Mineral Buildup in Aerator
Rust or mineral buildup in the aerator reduces water pressure. The aerator is a plumbing fixture that controls the water pressure from a regular faucet.
Solution: Check the aerator whether it needs cleaning or not. Uninstall the aerator and monitor it for cleaning purposes. Clean it if required. Use a good scrub to clean it. If you think that aerator is no more in operating position due to mineral and rust buildup, then replace it with a new one.
- Pipe leaks
Leaky pipes may be the reason for low water pressure. If the above reasons are not causative for poor water pressure, then check for pipe leaks. If the water pipe is a leak, then shower head, faucets, and other plumbing fixtures get lower water pressure. Water escapes somewhere from the pipe and as a result, the pipe delivers low water pressure.
Solution: You cannot solve the problem of leaky pipes through DIY techniques. You need to call a plumbing professional to inspect for locating a leak source. Plumbing professionals like Compound Services go for a video drain inspection.
- Peak Time of Water Usage
Your plumbing fixtures may deliver low water pressure during peak times of water usage such as late night and early morning. If your area has shared water pipelines, then you may encounter this issue. Shared pipelines with neighborhoods may deliver low water pressure during peak times of the day.
Solution: Monitor the water pressure during low-use hours to get the root cause of low water pressure. If the water pressure is better during other hours, then you need to change your schedule. Change your shower schedule to manage your problem.
- Blocked Pipes
Blocked or clogged pipes cause poor water pressure. Sometimes, water pipes are clogged deep down. It is difficult to get better water pressure with clogged pipes. Blocking material in the pipes badly affects water pressure.
Solution: You can use a DIY approach to clean the clogged pipes if they are not blocked in depth. If the pipes are clogged deep down, then you must call a plumbing professional to get drain cleaning solutions. Drain snake and drain cleaners remove and break up the obstructions. Plumbing professionals use safe chemicals to remove the clogging material without damaging water pipes.
- Old Plumbing System
Old plumbing systems including galvanized pipes corrode over time due to debris accumulation and mineral buildup. Mineral buildup and debris accumulation resist water and give low water pressure. If you do not know about the material of your plumbing system, then you must get an inspection of your plumbing system by a plumbing professional. Old plumbing systems become obsolete over time. It needs replacement.
Solution: Call a plumbing service provider to get a plumbing system inspection. Get a piece of advice from your plumbing professional whether it needs replacement or not. Your plumbing professional will guide you better to fix the problem.
- Deteriorating Pressure Regulator
A pressure regulator controls the input water pressure to provide a safe level of water. A balanced water level keeps water pipes safe from damage. A deteriorating regulator provides unbalanced water pressure in form of very low water pressure or very high water pressure that may damage your building or home.
Solution: Monitor the PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch) setting of your pressure regulator. Incorrect PSI setting does not provide balanced water pressure. If the PSI setting is correct then replace your pressure regulator with a professional.
- Shutoff Water Meter Valve
Lower water pressure may be due to the shutoff water meter valve. This issue belongs to the water company. If you are shifted into your newly built house, then you may face this problem
Solution: Inform the concerned water company to check the water meter valve. These valves are hard to reach and cannot use a DIY approach to fix this problem. The only water company can fix this problem.
- Shutoff Building Water Valve
You may find lower water pressure due to the shutoff house water valve. Your house water valve may be closed due to any reason.
Solution: Check your building water valve. If it is closed then open it by bringing it parallel to the pipe.
- Changing Water Pressure Regulations
There may be poor water pressure due to changing water pressure regulations of the city.
Solution: Buy a water booster system and install it at your building with a plumber. A water booster system will help you to get the right water pressure.
- Municipal Water Issues
If your home is not getting the right water pressure, it may be due to municipal water issues. This is not about your plumbing system. It is all about the city’s municipal management system.
Solution: First of all, talk to your neighbors, inquire if they are facing the same problem. If it is, then communicate to your water supplier. Your water supplier will guide you on how to fix the problem.
If are located at Battle Ground and facing any plumbing problem, then contact Compound Services. It is one of the most reliable plumbing companies that provide the highest standard services.