Common Causes of Low Water Pressure
High-pressure water supplied to a home is a modern necessity. So many things, like comfort and hygiene, are affected by water service that it can be a real nuisance when problems occur. A common problem in homes that can disrupt the status quo is low water pressure. When low water pressure occurs, it doesn’t completely shut off water service, but it does make everything more complicated, especially showering.
There are many reasons why water pressure is low in a home. It can be a complex problem to try and figure out, but with the right knowledge, homeowners can start understanding why water pressure may be low. Here is a quick guide to help people understand the cause of their low water pressure in the shower.
Take a Look at Other Bathroom Plumbing Fixtures
When it comes to understanding plumbing problems, it can help to understand how a bathroom is piped. Generally, one cold water line and one hot water line come up through the floor or down through the ceiling to one bathroom fixture. The piping splits to feed other fixtures like toilets, showers, and sinks.
The first thing to look at to help determine the cause of low water pressure problems is to pay attention to the water pressure in other fixtures. Often, low water pressure is caused by a clogged pipe that feeds more than one fixture. This can be observed by noticing a drop in water pressure in multiple places. The cure for this is by treating the cause of the clog, usually corrosion on the inside of water pipes.
Hidden Leaks in Piping
Water is supplied to a home at a certain pressure. This allows plenty of water to be available to a home. However, it is easy to notice in nearly every home that when multiple fixtures are used at the same time, the flow rate of each fixture will drop. Applying this understanding, it is easy to see how a leak can cause a drop in water pressure.
Water pipes run all around in a home, in walls, and under slabs. There are a lot of places where leaks can occur, and not all of them are obvious. If the water pressure is dropping in the shower and other points of use in the home, the cause could be a hidden leak.
Don’t Forget the Showerhead
Fixing hard water is the best cure for lost water pressure. Installing a water softener will remove the water minerals that interfere with water pressure. Water softeners are cheap and easy to maintain, and they offer benefits like:
- Better tasting water
- Healthier skin
- Cleaner dishes and clothing
- Fewer plumbing problems
About Colonial Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc.
Do you need a highly-rated local plumber to install a water filtration system or water softener? Colonial Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc. has 40 years of experience taking care of their customers. Call today for exceptional plumbing service in Colonial Heights, VA.
