It can be extremely frustrating and inefficient to live in a home with low water pressure. Major complications await you if your home has hard water, as this will definitely restrict the flow of water, albeit gradual.
The first time you’ll notice this is when you’re taking a shower. This is the perfect time and place to enjoy some good water pressure as you try to rinse off all the soap and shampoo. But, other areas of your house where you use water constantly, such as your laundry area and sinks, can also experience some water pressure issues.
For example, it takes a lot longer for washing machines to fill up, faucets slow down significantly, and dishwashers also take some time to run through cycles. So, to address the issue, the first step is to determine the underlying cause.
Below is a list of the most common reasons many homeowners have low water pressure.
Faulty Fixtures
These are considered the number one reason homes experience low water pressure. Old shower heads and faucets are prone to getting clogged by limestone, dirt and rust. All these elements can affect the flow of water and decreased the quality of water.
To find out if this is the issue you have, turn your faucets on one at a time to make it easier to identify which one has defects. But, before testing the actual faucet, make sure that both the aerator and screen on every faucet are clear, clean and unclogged.
Otherwise, it may ruin the water pressure for the whole fixture.
Clogged Water Pipes
These are highly likely to happen when both the valves are fully open. This issue only occurs with galvanized pipes, especially if you’ve had them for a long time. To figure out if this is your plumbing issue in your Salt Lake City home, contact a professional to help you assess the situation and provide an effective solution.
This isn’t a task you can DIY. Trying to unclog the pipes on your own can be tremendously challenging. If you make any mistakes, you’ll risk contaminating your entire water supply. Most of the time, clogged pipes may only involve a small portion of your whole plumbing system, all the more reason you should just let the pro handle the situation.
Corroded Piping
This problem is very common in older houses that have used the same system for decades. So, if you know that your current system has seen better days, now’s the best time to get all the plumbing replaced. This project may cost you a bit, in addition to being a bit time-consuming, but it’s better to address the issue as soon as you see the first sign of a problem.
Many other factors can cause low or inadequate water pressure, but these three are the most common. Issues such as faulty fixtures are fairly easier to spot, and even novice homeowners can notice these easily.
However, other problems such as corroded piping, are serious issues that only a professional can take care of. It may actually require a full overhaul of your entire plumbing system.
