Having adequate water pressure is important for a variety of reasons. Not only does poor water pressure make it impossible to take a nice, relaxing shower, but it also makes it far more difficult to get your dishes and clothes fully clean. There are various reasons why your water pressure can be low, and the issue may be something you can fix yourself if you know what to check for. In this article, we’ll look at the various reasons to help make it easier for you to know if you’re dealing with an issue you need to hire a plumber for.
Leak in a Water Line
There are many situations where low water pressure can be traced to a pipe leak. Minor leaks typically have little to no effect on a home’s water pressure since they don’t waste a tremendous amount of water. If there’s a larger leak, especially in your main water line, it can waste so much water that you end up with poor pressure through your house.
One easy way to determine if your plumbing is leaking is to check your water meter. If you’re currently not using any water and the dial on the meter is spinning, it’s a sure sign some part of your plumbing system is leaking. Plumbing companies that specialize in leak detection have a few different tools at their disposal that can allow them to quickly and accurately pinpoint where the leak is. This can include using a thermal imaging camera to check for hot and cold spots behind walls or under the floor or using an acoustic device to listen to the sound of running water. If they suspect your home’s water main is leaking, they can also use a soil probe to listen to vibrations that result from the water coming out of the pipe at high pressure.
Partially Closed Shut-Off Valve
Another thing that will result in low water pressure is if one of the two shut-off valves on your main water line isn’t fully open. There’s one shut-off valve next to the water meter as well as a second valve out in the street or somewhere near the edge of your property line. The first valve allows you to shut your water off from the inside. You can check this area yourself to see if it’s open all the way. The outdoor valve is what the water department uses in case they ever need to shut the water to your house off for any reason. If a plumber has exhausted all their options and can’t figure out what the issue is, it’s worth contacting the water department. They will send someone out to your house to make sure the second valve is fully open.
Issue With the Pressure-Reducing Valve
The water pressure in municipal water mains is usually quite high. This ensures the water can travel uphill, and it will keep the pressure from dropping too low during times of peak water usage. The fact that the pressure in the local water system is so high is why most plumbing systems have a pressure regulator or reducing valve on their water main just next to the water meter. The way this type of valve works is that it has an internal diaphragm that can automatically expand and contract to react to any pressure changes in the local water system. When the valve is installed, it is adjusted to the proper pressure and will open and close as needed to keep the pressure constant.
When troubleshooting a water pressure issue, this valve is one of the first things a plumber will check since the valve might not be set properly. Another possibility is that the valve is stuck or broken, in which case you’ll need to have it replaced or fixed. One thing that sometimes happens when the valve contracts in response to a sudden, temporary increase in the water pressure coming into the house is that it can end up getting stuck in that position. That means once the pressure in the municipal water system drops back down to the normal level, the valve won’t be able to expand as it should. This will cause the water pressure in the home to drop.
Municipal Water Supply Issues
There are also situations when your water pressure can suddenly drop because of a broken water main in your area or some other issue with the local water supply. It’s a good idea to check with your neighbor to see if their water pressure is also low. You can also contact the local water department if you suddenly experience issues with low pressure. You can avoid having to pay a plumber if the issue lies with the local water system and not your house.
Limescale Build-Up Inside Pipes
The water in much of Illinois is classified as either hard, which means it contains a high concentration of calcium and other minerals. The main concern when a house has hard water is that it results in lots of limescale or mineral deposits forming. If your home has hard water, you’ve likely noticed how mineral deposits can clog the holes on a showerhead and lead to poor flow or reduced pressure. A similar issue is that hard water also results in limescale continuing to build up inside all your home pipes and your water main as well. As the minerals continue to build up inside a pipe, they start decreasing their inside diameter. That means less water can flow through the pipe at a time, leading to the water pressure decreasing.
One possible solution when dealing with this issue is to install a pressure-boosting pump on your water main. The pump helps push the water through your plumbing system so that the pressure increases. The only thing is that this is only a temporary fix since more and more mineral deposits will continue to form inside your pipes unless you also install a water softener. At some point, the deposits will end up choking off your pipes so much that the only effective solution is to have your house completely repiped. That’s one of the many reasons why it’s worth investing in a water treatment solution like a softener if your home has hard water.
A water softener is the only effective solution for preventing mineral deposits from building up inside your pipes and clogging your faucets and showerheads. It will also eliminate issues with water spots on your dishes and help your dishes and clothes get cleaner. Another advantage is that it can help extend the life of your dishwasher and washing machine since mineral deposits often lead to these appliances leaking and not lasting as long.
Whether you’re dealing with low water pressure or any other plumbing issue in your home or business, Baker & Sons Plumbing is always here to help. We’re committed to providing top-notch plumbing services in Marion, IL, and the surrounding area. You can trust us to professionally handle your repair, maintenance, and installation needs. To schedule an inspection and quickly get to the bottom of your water pressure issues, contact Baker & Sons Plumbing for plumbing services in Marion today.
