Have you ever turned on the faucet in your bathroom or kitchen only to find water trickles out? It’s irritating for you and inefficient for your home. Low water pressure makes your appliances work harder and takes longer to fill the bathtub, wash machine, or dishwasher. If you are on a private well, it can also cause issues with your well system. You’ll want to find the problem and solve it as quickly as possible.

The first area to check is the main shut-off valve. It is either by your well pressure tank or your city-supplied water meter. You’ll want to check the main valve to see if it is partially turned off or turned off just enough to decrease water pressure. If it is, turn the valve completely open, and you’re back to normal. It is unlikely the main shut-off valves have caused the issue. Nevertheless, it’s worth a check and can especially happen if you’ve recently had plumbing work done in your home. If you’re on city water and go through all these checkpoints and your water pressure is still low, you’ll want to contact your municipality to see if there is a city-wide issue.

The next area you’ll want to check is any water treatment equipment in your home. First, you’ll need to bypass any water treatment equipment. When you bypass the equipment, you shut off any water through those units. Once bypassed, if the water pressure increases, the problem lies within the water treatment equipment, and you need to contact us for a service check. If the pressure stays the same, you’ll need to call your local well driller. Again, the issue lies within the well system. Other areas to consider with pressure loss and a water softener is a clogged resin bed or the water softener, itself, is undersized.

Homeowners should also check faucet aerators for low water pressure. They can accumulate sediment over time. Unscrew the aerator from the faucet and clean any sediment build-up. Any sediment or dirt will prevent good water flow from the faucet.

If pressure loss is at one particular faucet, the issue can be within the piping system. Older piping, especially galvanized, will corrode on the inside of the pipe. Corrosion will build inside piping and decrease water pressure. Also, iron can plug piping within the home and create pressure loss if your home has any iron in the water.

Some homes have pressure regulators. Pressure regulators reduce pressure entering the home to a safe level. High water pressure can create plumbing issues and put appliances under unnecessary stress. In addition, pressure regulators can build up with sediment and need to be cleaned. When regulators fail, they will either increase or decrease pressure within the home. If you feel this is an issue, it is best to call a local plumber for safety reasons.

If your water pressure loss is in hot water only, the issue can be within your water heater. It is struggling to make enough hot water for your home. Hardness in the water, when heated, will calcify and create blockages in piping, reducing water flow. Have a water softener installed in your home to ensure your water has no lingering hardness. If you have a water softener, you may need it serviced and checked for operation.

We’ve come to expect solid water pressure when turning on a faucet. However, when we experience low water pressure, there are simple measures a homeowner can take to diagnose and fix the issue. If you are unsure, it’s always best to contact us to help diagnose and fix the problem.