How To Fix Low Water Pressure Problem?

Whether the problem is new or has been recurrent, it is easily agreeable that low water pressure problems can be a pain. The extra seconds that you have to wait to fill a glass of water can feel like forever and your frustrations levels can quickly get the better of you. However, before you start breaking everything in sight and re-piping the whole house, there are a number of steps that you should consider that could help you trouble shoot the problem and get to fix it for good. It is important that you keep a cool head as in most instances you could be shocked to find out the problem is actually pretty small.

Low water pressure affecting the whole house
If you recently bought a house only to find that the entire house has water pressure problems, there are a number of things that could be the cause of the problem and identifying which one is the culprit is key.

· The first step you ought to make is talk to the neighbors and other home owners in the community. This will help you identify if the problem is communal in which case it would mean that the problem is not within your house. To fix this is quite simple. All you have to do is call in a plumber and have them install a pressure booster and your problem will be in the past.

· If the neighbors do not have any problem with their water pressure, then the problem could be with your house. Start by checking the meter to ensure that it is turned on all the way. In some instances, when repairs are being done, the flow of water is reduced at the meter and the plumber could have forgotten to turn this back on after the job was completed.

· If the situation at the meter is as should be, then your next step is to check all the main valves in the house starting with the one that is usually around the meter. Also check any other that is around or within the house. These could also be cutting the supply to the water and ensure that they are all fully turned on.

· If none of this works, you can look for pressure regulators in the home that could have been installed incorrectly and if not that then you need to get in contact with the plumber. The problem could be caused by build-up of debris and minerals in the main pipe and the plumber could help with identifying the problematic area and also in adjusting the pressure regulator if there is any.

· The low pressure problem to the whole house could also be caused by a leaky pipe. While spotting this might be a bit tricky, in dry seasons, a wet spot in the area around the main pipe should hint you of the problem. For this, you would need professional help especially considering the fact that the leak ought to be big enough to reduce the pressure of water in the house.


To specific areas in the house
This applies when only certain areas in the house say the kitchen or the bathroom are the only ones that have low water pressure but all the other areas seem to be fine. Just like the scenario in the entire house, the problems that are causing this could vary. You have to try and identify the problem before you can call in a plumber because in some instances, it is something that you can fix yourself.

· The best place to start is with the fixture that is experiencing the weak pressure. The problem could be the faucet or its aerator. Start by taking the faucet apart and look for any signs of buildup. If you notice any build up, you can soak the faucet in a solution of warm water and vinegar. After you put it together and still notice the problem persists, try replacing the faucet. To avoid making a purchase only to find out it is not the problem, use one from a room in the house which is not affected. If the problem is solved then you can buy a new one.

· After replacing the faucet, if the problem is still present, then it could be caused by a build-up in the pipe that is leading to that room. This is more commonly experienced in homes that are fitted with galvanized piping. This is because overtime, there is mineral build up in such piping and it is best that you call in a plumber to help you with the situation. However, if you decide to continue trouble shooting, make sure that you first shut off the water from the main valve.

· In the event that the part suffering the low water pressure problem is your shower, then chances are that your shower head might be having a clogged nozzle. Unscrew the shower head and check the nozzle. Just to be sure, you can also soak the shower head in a solution of water and vinegar. This should address any build-up.

· You can also check the line that feeds the shower if you replace the shower head and the problem continues. Simply stick a wire down the pipe and if it get somewhere and does not move, then you know that you have found your problem. You can then call a plumber to come and fix the problem.

It is a good idea to consider re-piping especially if the house has been fitted with galvanized pipes since it will only be a matter of time before another part of the house is cut off. Re-piping should help to address the problem or clogging especially by minerals in the long term.

With this tips, you can be able to locate the center of your problems especially with regards to low water pressure. It is important to do the trouble shooting yourself as this could save you a lot of money since the professional might charge per hour and a good amount of their time might go to finding the problem. If you do this yourself, then you will only need them to come in for the repairs.