Are you concerned about the water pressure in your home? Low water pressure is an annoying problem that makes it more difficult to rinse things, takes longer to fill buckets, cups or pots and more.
Luckily, there are several things that homeowners can do that range from making a simple DIY adjustment to installing new hardware to deal with the problem. Here are several pro tips on how to raise low water pressure in your home.
Why Is My Water Pressure Low?
Low water pressure in your home can be caused by several factors.
Common Causes of Low Water Pressure
- A partially closed main water valve: Every home has a main water shut-off valve, usually located near the water meter. If this valve is even partially closed, it can significantly restrict water flow to your entire house.
- A faulty pressure regulator: Many homes have a pressure-reducing valve (PRV) or regulator. If this valve fails, it can cause a sudden and dramatic drop in pressure throughout your home.
- Clogged pipes or fixtures: One of the most common causes of low water pressure in a house is clogged drains and pipes. Mineral deposits from hard water, rust, and debris, such as hair, food, grease, and oil, can collect in your drains, building up and hardening over time. These pesky clogs are difficult to remove and will directly impact your water pressure at home.
- Water leaks: A hidden leak in your plumbing system can divert water away before it reaches your fixtures. Look for signs of a leak like unexplained wet spots, mold growth, or a sudden spike in your water bill.
- Municipal water supply issues: Sometimes, the problem isn't in your home at all. If the entire neighborhood is experiencing low water pressure, it could be due to a water main break, scheduled maintenance, or high usage in the area.
What Should I Do if I Have Low Water Pressure?
The Simple Hack: Adjust or Replace your Regulator
Most homes are outfitted with a water pressure regulator. This device is often located near the water meter and essentially works to regulate the water pressure coming from your water supplier. Most water suppliers provide water that is too highly pressurized to be useful in our homes, so the regulator works to bring it to a manageable level.
- If you notice reduced water pressure in your house, the fix may be as simple as readjusting the regulator.
- While looking at the regulator, also make note of any wear and tear that may be causing it to malfunction.
- If this is the case, you may need to replace the entire device to raise your water pressure.
Preventative Maintenance: Drain Cleaning and Hydrojetting
While many homeowners will reach for a chemical drain cleaner to solve the problem, we recommend investing in professional drain cleaning or hydrojetting services. Unlike chemical drain cleaners, these professional services are easy and completely safe for your drains and pipes.
Schedule regular maintenance and you will notice a definite improvement in your water pressure.
Check the Faucets
Before jumping to conclusions about the overall water pressure in your home, check the faucets first. If you notice bad water pressure in only one part of your home, such as one specific faucet, the issue may not be with your water pressure, but with the hardware instead. Today’s modern faucets are designed to conserve water and reduce waste. This means they contain numerous small parts that work to reduce the amount of water that exits the faucet at any time.
- One of these components is a grate-like screen over the faucet with numerous small holes for the water to flow through.
- Since these holes are so small, it’s not uncommon to see small bits of debris or sediment become trapped in it, reducing your water pressure in that particular faucet.
The Investment: A Water Pressure Booster
If none of these other tips and tricks seem to show any sign of improvement to your water pressure, your last consideration should be installing a water pressure booster. These devices attach to your plumbing and increase the pressure of your water with an electric pump, pressure tank and reserve tank to ensure you always have high-pressure water when you need it. Since these systems are an investment, it’s probably best to try the other tips first before resorting to installing a booster in your home.
For more information on improving the water pressure in your home, call (405) 246-9763 and speak with the experts at Hull Plumbing.