What You Should Know About Low Water Pressure In Your Home
If you have low water pressure in your home, whether it is just one plumbing fixture or it is the whole house, you may feel understandably frustrated and annoyed about the situation. Before you do anything and even before you call a residential plumbing contractor, get to know some of the important facts about low water pressure in your home. Then, you can be sure you are doing everything you can to deal with your low water pressure and resolve the issue as soon as possible.
You Can Use a Water Pressure Gauge to Test Your Water Pressure
Before you panic about your water pressure, you should take the time to go to the hardware or plumbing supply store and buy a water pressure gauge. These gauges are relatively inexpensive and can help to measure the PSI (pounds per square inch), which is the measure for water pressure.
When you measure the water pressure, you want it to be between 45 and 80 PSI. If it is lower, you have a water pressure problem, at least in that fixture. Check multiple fixtures throughout the house in order to best determine whether the problem is with the whole house's water pressure or just a specific plumbing fixture.
Usually You Have Low Water Pressure from a Clogged Pipe
The most common cause of low water pressure in a fixture or even in the whole house is a clogged pipe (or multiple clogged pipes). Sediment and other debris can accumulate in your pipes and get stuck there. The sediment comes from minerals in the water. This buildup can cause narrowing in the pipes making it hard to maintain proper water pressure.
A residential plumbing services provider can use a pipe snake with a small camera on it to find the areas of buildup and sediment. They can then take steps to either clear the pipes or replace the pipes that are too far gone for saving.
Pipe Corrosion Can also Be to Blame
Corrosion in the pipes can also be a cause of low water pressure. The corroded material builds up in the pipes causing those blockages and constrictions that can clog up pipes. Because corrosion is something that will continue if left unaddressed, the corroded water pipe is often cut and the corroded section replaced.
You Could Have Sewer Issues
Another potential problem with low water pressure is an issue not with the pipes inside of your house but with the lines leading to and from your house, connecting it to the municipal water system. These issues require special equipment and may even need to be addressed by digging up a portion of your yard to access the sewer lines. Because of this, you will need a residential plumbing contractor to deal with sewer-related issues.
Now that you know more about low water pressure in your home, you can contact a residential plumbing service if you notice water pressure problems with one or more of your plumbing fixtures.