Water pressure in your home should be consistent, so why does it seem low at times? Low water pressure can be one of the most frustrating problems for homeowners in the West Valley because the issue is not always apparent. Fortunately, you can troubleshoot low water pressure on your own. After performing your troubleshooting, if you can’t fix the problem on your own, Sun City Mechanical, LLC Air Conditioning, Heating, and Plumbing is here to help. Here are the ten most common reasons for low water pressure, and some tips on how to get your home’s water pressure back to normal.
1. City Water Work
If your water pressure has been normal and then is low suddenly, check with the city for any work that is being completed in your neighborhood. Often, the city performs repairs, installs new pipes, or replaces water lines without notifying residents. If the city is doing work in your area, they should be able to give you an estimate of when your water pressure will be restored. If the city completes its work, and you still have low water pressure, there’s another issue causing the problem.
2. Clogs
You may be familiar with clogged pipes that cause drains to flow slowly or causes water to back up into your sinks and bathtubs. Clogs can also cause low water pressure if the blockage is inside one of the pipes that bring water into your home. First, check to see if the water pressure is low throughout your home. Turn on the cold and hot water taps individually at every faucet, including sinks and tubs. If the water pressure is low at only one faucet, the clog may be in the plumbing inside your home. If all the faucets have low water pressure, the problem may be in the main plumbing from the street to your house.
3. Hard Water Deposits
Hard water deposits are a type of clog, but they deserve some additional attention. Hard water contains higher levels of calcium and magnesium that attach to the inside of metal pipes. Over time, the deposits get larger and can disrupt water flow. If left untreated, hard water deposits may cause the pipes to breaks or leak. Also, hard water damages your appliances, such as the dishwasher and washing machine. The experts at Sun City Mechanical, LLC Air Conditioning, Heating, and Plumbing have solutions for removing and preventing hard water deposits.
4. Higher Water Use
In older West Valley homes, we see a lot of water pressure issues arise because of increased demand. In these situations, the water pressure increases after everyone has taken their showers, washed dishes, watered the lawn, and performed other tasks that require water. Low water pressure in older homes happens when there’s an insufficient water distribution related to the original plumbing. This can be a nuisance, but if you want to improve the water pressure in your older home, Sun City Mechanical, LLC Air Conditioning, Heating, and Plumbing can help. We come to your home and inspect the existing plumbing system to recommend upgrades.
5. Fixtures
Often the plumbing of a home is delivering enough water, but a fixture causes irregular water pressure. This may be a faucet or valve where the pressure is low. Most homeowners can replace a fixture on their own, but replacing valves is a bit more complex. If you believe that a valve is causing low water pressure in your home or if you would rather not replace a fixture, call Sun City Mechanical, LLC Air Conditioning, Heating, and Plumbing.
6. Valves
Have you ever noticed the small turn dials near your sinks, bathtubs, and toilets? Those control the volume of water that is delivered through each of these fixtures. If you have low water pressure in only one area of your home, check to see if the valve is all the way open. If it’s not open fully, you can open it a bit more. Turning the valve counter-clockwise will allow more water flow, and turning it clockwise reduces water flow.
7. Pressure Regulator
Residential plumbing has pressure regulators that control water pressure throughout your home. The regulator should provide a consistent level of pressure regardless of how much water you use. When a pressure regulator is damaged or worn out, water pressure may be lower or higher than normal. Replacing a pressure regulator requires a professional technician from Sun City Mechanical, LLC Air Conditioning, Heating, and Plumbing. We troubleshoot low water pressure in your home and replace the regulator if it is causing the problem.
8. Corrosion
If you have metal pipes in your plumbing, corrosion can cause low water pressure. When water passes through a corroded pipe, a higher level of friction occurs that disrupts the path the water travels. As a result, less water enters your home, and the pressure decreases. Fixing corrosion requires replacing the section of pipe that is damaged. At Sun City Mechanical, LLC Air Conditioning, Heating, and Plumbing, we can find the corroded section of plumbing, and provide a cost estimate for the repairs. In most cases, corrosion only happens in smaller sections of a pipe rather than throughout the entire plumbing system.
9. Breaks and Leaks
Broken and leaking pipes means that water is escaping into your yard or walls, and water pressure typically decreases as a result. You can check all the visible pipes in your home on your own, but most leaks happen where they are not obvious. Finding a leak or broken pipe is time-consuming, especially if you’re not sure where to look for the problem. Sun City Mechanical, LLC Air Conditioning, Heating, and Plumbing can send a technician to your home to find and repair the leak.
10. Roots
Tree roots are huge problems when it comes to residential plumbing. The roots infiltrate the pipes gradually and start to grow inside or through the pipes. Because this process takes time, you may not notice a problem with water pressure until there is a significant decrease. Removing roots from pipes requires replacing the damaged sections. Sun City Mechanical, LLC Air Conditioning, Heating, and Plumbing determines the extent of the damage and only replaces what is necessary to get your water pressure back up to normal. We also recommend changes to your landscaping to prevent problems in the future.
Low Water Pressure? Call Us!
Since 2003, Sun City Mechanical, LLC Air Conditioning, Heating, and Plumbing has helped West Valley residents with all their plumbing needs. If you have low water pressure, leaks, high water bills, or other plumbing problems, we are here to help. We also specialize in HVAC services, including installation, repair, and maintenance of heating and cooling equipment. We want to be your one-stop-shop for all your home repairs. Call us today to learn more about our services and schedule an appointment with one of our technicians.