How To Troubleshoot Low Water Pressure ?

Low water pressure problem is very annoying. If you turn on your water faucet or shower and the water pressure is lower then it means that there could be something wrong in the line.

If you always had low water pressure in your home then it could be because the pipes that were originally installed were half inch pipe rather than one inch pipe. This is the measurement of the pipe diameter and the smaller pipe produces lower water pressure than the larger sized pipe.

If you are planning to build a new home then make sure to install larger sized pipes. The larger sized pipe is more expensive but it is well worth the extra cost. Water from the main has to travel down the pipe and then go through many twists and turns before it reaches your valve. So by that time the pressure has naturally gone down. In such situations, the smaller diameter of the pipe will put more restrictions on the water flow.

The reduction in water pressure could also be caused because of many other reasons. In case the shut off valves are not completely opened then it could also result in low water pressure. So check all the shut off valves in case of low water pressure problem.

You can also check the indoor main water shut off valve. This valve should also be in the full open position. If this is located on or near your main water meter, you should call the water provider or an experienced plumber to open this valve.

In case all the valves are fully opened and the problem of low water pressure still persists then your pipe might be damaged somewhere along the line. Homeowners residing in an earthquake prone area might get the pipe damaged because of a strong earthquake. So get all the pipes inspected for any kind of damage or leaks.

Blockage is also a big reason that causes the reduction in water pressure. Besides blockage, leak could also result into low water pressure and it also adds unused units in your water bill.

Many homeowners do not consider it a big problem and don’t call a plumber for repairing it. However, in order to save both time and money, the problem should be solved as soon as possible because usually this problem turns into a serious problem if left unchecked.