Why Is My Water Pressure Low?

You turn on the shower expecting a soothing blast of warm water only to be treated with a trickle. What’s the deal? Low water pressure is certainly an inconvenience, but with a little troubleshooting, you may be able to uncover the source of the problem. Here are four main causes of low water pressure:

Someone Messed with the Water Meter Valve

If there’s been recent work done on your plumbing system, there’s always the chance the water meter valve got knocked unintentionally. While you will rarely interact with this valve, if it is closed even partially, your entire home will suffer decreased water pressure. Check to see if the handle is parallel to the pipe. If it isn’t, you’ve found your problem.

Steel Water Pipes are Corroding

If your home is older, there’s a good chance your pipes are steel. Corroding on the inside over a series of decades, blockages begin forming, heavily reducing water pressure gradually. This likely means investing in new pipes for the entire home. It’s a big job, but one that will improve the performance of your plumbing system and increase the value of your home.

Malfunctioning Pressure Regulator

The pressure regulator maintains adequate water pressure for your pipes. This also means poor flow for your home if it begins to malfunction. Failing typically means a sudden drop in pressure across all of your plumbing fixtures and water-using appliances. This can be tested with a water pressure gauge and the outdoor hose spigot. If the pressure reads lower than 52 pounds per square inch, there’s a problem.

Clogged Aerator Screen

Designed to reduce the volume of water pouring out of a faucet, aerator screens can become clogged. This is probably the case if only one of your faucets is exhibiting decreased pressure. To test its effect on your water flow, remove the screen and turn on the faucet in question. If the flow is back to normal, it’s time to get a new screen.

For all of your plumbing need, contact S & D Plumbing in Taylor, TX.