Low water pressure is one of those elusive problems that can make homeowners scratch their heads again and again. Is it normal for your home to have low water pressure? Is it just certain appliances that are giving you water pressure problems? Or is there some kind of greater plumbing repair needed to relieve your water pressure problems?
Sometimes it can feel so overwhelming that you just want to shut down. We completely understand and we want to be clear that you’re not alone. Numerous issues could be causing low water pressure in your home, and if you’re struggling with this, then the first thing you should do is call us.
A certified plumber in Avon, OH can get to the bottom of your water pressure problems and fix them. Let’s work together to improve your water pressure, fix any potential leaks, and leave you feeling better.
Starting With the Basics: Your Home’s Water Pressure
Before we can talk about the cause of low water pressure, we need to talk about how good water pressure works. If you draw your water from your local municipality, then it’s going to be sent to you with the force of gravity and pressure tanks at somewhere between 45โ80 psi (pounds per square inch). If it comes from a well, then you’re likely getting your water from a pressurized tank at the same rate. Basically, water should always be above 40 psi and never below 30 psi.
If you’re uncomfortable with low water pressure coming from your showerhead, or your toilet has trouble flushing with low water pressure, then ask a professional plumber to test the pressure. They’ll be able to tell you the reading of pounds per square inch, and you can decide for yourself if your home is just naturally on the lower end of the scale, or if there’s something wrong that’s causing a dramatic dip.
Reasons for Low Water Pressure
Now that you’ve identified a problem with your home’s water pressure, it’s time to investigate some common reasons why this occurs.
- Leaking pipes. When your pipes are leaking, that pressurized water can be released in places where it shouldn’t. Then, the water that gets to your appliances can have dramatically reduced pressure readings.
- Old or faulty appliances. Some older appliances, or broken appliances, aren’t meant to deal with today’s water pressures. They could be stifling your water pressure and causing the dip themselves. Try to see if there are only one or two sources of low water pressure.
- A clog. Clogs in your pipes can cause water pressure to drop as well, which is another reason to get your plumbing system maintained by a professional plumber.
- Broken pressure regulator. If your pressure regulator is broken, your home won’t have the pressurized water it needs.
- Corrosion. Corrosion, just like pipe leaks, can cause a dip in water pressure that should be addressed.
If any of these sound familiar, or if you’re tired of dealing with poor water pressure in your home, then call a professional plumber.
