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Are you plagued with low water pressure in your home?
The average water pressure in your home should be between 40-45 pounds per square in (PSI). If your water flow feels weak and sluggish, the chances are you’re not reaching this number.
When you’re getting through an average of 300 gallons a day, this can be a real pain to deal with. Chances are, you’re no plumbing expert, so you don’t even know where to start to fix the issue.
That’s where we can help! Keep reading for this guide on what low pressure means for your plumbing so you know what you’re up against.
You Haven’t Opened the Main Shutoff Valve
One of the best starter plumbing tips for low water pressure is to ask your neighbors if they have it too. If you’re the only one on your block suffering, then the issue is likely in your house.
As part of essential home maintenance, you need to know how to find your shutoff valve and how to turn it off. For handles like those on your outside hose tap, make sure it’s turned counterclockwise as far as you can get it.
If it’s a lever-style handle, then the lever needs to line up parallel with your pipe. If not, your valve isn’t open all the way,which can obstruct the flow of water, bringing the pressure down.
Your Water Meter Valve Isn’t Open
The second valve controlling the water intake is your water meter valve. You won’t often deal with this yourself, as it belongs to your water company.
If you had work done recently and then noticed the pressure drop, call your water company. The chances are that the plumber didn’t open the water meter valve all the way after they shut it off.
You Have a Failing Pressure Regulator
Not all houses have a pressure regulator, but if you do, then it can give up the ghost. To find out if yours is failing, attach a water pressure gauge outside your hose spigot.
When you turn the water on, the gauge will give you a reading for your water pressure. If it’s lower than what the pressure regulator says, then you may have an issue.
Its purpose is to adjust the water pressure level entering your home to a safe level that your pipes can handle. It could think it’s working, but it’s actually giving you a much lower PSI. Search for “a plumber near me” to call in a San Marcos plumbing professional for help with this issue.
You Have Blocked Pipes
Blockages can happen anywhere in your pipes, not only underneath drains. Even a small blockage could cause the water pressure to drop.
The best plumbing advice we can give here is to call a great, reputable local plumber. You don’t want to start fiddling around deep in the guts of your pipework if you don’t know what you’re doing.
There’s a Leak In the Pipes
Even the most minor drip could cause a drop in water pressure. Start with a walk-around of your home and the pipes you can see. You’re looking for damp spots, mold, peeling paint/wallpaper, and pooling/dripping water.
While you could do a quick DIY patch yourself, but our plumbing guide recommends calling a plumber right away. If left, you could face far worse than low water pressure disadvantages, and a leak in your pipes could compromise the structural integrity of your home.
Don’t Let Low Water Pressure Get You Down
So, there you have it! Now you know what low water pressure could mean for your plumbing, and you know what you’re up against.
Low water pressure isn’t something you should put up with. Other than being a major inconvenience, it could be a sign that your plumbing is struggling. It’s important that you get a professional to give your plumbing the once-over.
If you’re looking to book plumbing maintenance,contact us today. At Proactive Plumbing, we’ve got over 15 years of experience to suit all your plumbing needs.
Proactive Plumbing has provided dependable plumbing services, installations, and repairs for more than 15 years. We service Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, and other areas of San Diego County.