The average home has a water pressure of around 40 to 45 pounds per square inch. If your water pressure number is lower than that, it can affect all aspects of home life – showering, laundry, washing dishes, or flushing the toilet.
Why is the water pressure so low and should you be worried about it? Let’s take a deeper look at these questions.
Causes of Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure can be caused by a range of things, such as:
It May Be a Water Supply Issue
If your neighbours are also experiencing low water pressure, that likely means the issue lies with the water supply itself, not with your home. It may be that the city is fixing an issue, so you may just need to wait it out.
Your Main Valve Isn’t Open All the Way
If it turns out you are the only house experiencing low water pressure, then you should start checking out your home. The first thing you should inspect is the main shutoff valve for your home and see if it’s fully open.
If the valve has a handle similar to the one you use for your hose, you need to ensure it’s turned fully counterclockwise. If you have a lever handle, it needs to be parallel to the pipe. Anything else means your valve is not fully open, which explains the lower water pressure.
Pipes Are Clogged
Clogs don’t just build up in drains – they can form anywhere. Even a small clog can really gum up the works and cause a drop in water pressure. Since the clog could be anywhere in your plumbing system, the best way to handle it is to call an experienced plumber to locate the clog and remove it.
Your Pipes Are Corroded
Do you know how old your house is? Pipes can start to corrode quickly depending on what material they’re made of. If you have an older house with plumbing that hasn’t been modernized, your pipes may be corroded, which can lead to leaks and low water pressure.
You Have a Hidden Leak Somewhere
Some signs of leaks are obvious – puddles and floods. However, smaller leaks can mess with your water pressure without any other clear signs. The leak is misdirecting your water supply so that you’re not getting full flow, even when everything else is working properly.
Effects of Low Water Pressure on Plumbing System
Low water pressure can make it more difficult for your appliances to do their job. Dishwashers and laundry machines may not get the water they need to be effective. You may also find that your upper floors end up with almost no flow at all.
Why Low Water Pressure Issues Need to Be Repaired
Low water pressure is more than just an inconvenience for you and your family. Yes, it can make it difficult to use your sink, toilet, and shower, but it can also indicate much bigger issues that you haven’t detected yet.
If the cause is a clog, it can lead to having no water pressure at all as the clog grows in size. If it’s caused by a leak, that means water is getting into places where it shouldn’t be, which can lead to extensive damage and repairs. Whatever the case may be, if you find your water pressure dropping, you should call a professional for plumbing repair so they can diagnose the problem. Don’t wait until the problem gets worse.
Call Us to Resolve Low Water Pressure Problems
Black Forest Plumbing provides professional plumbing repair for homeowners. When you have issues with water pressure, you can give us a call and we’ll get your pipes fixed right up. Our local plumbers serve homeowners across the GTA and York Region, including in Toronto, East Gwillimbury and Barrie.