Water pressure is everything when it comes to ensuring that all your home’s fixtures are getting the water they need. Whenever you turn on your faucet, there must be enough water pressure to get that water flowing onto your hands.
Water pressure can be the difference between a refreshing shower and one where you struggle to clean yourself. If you find that water doesn’t flow as much as you’d like in other parts of your house, it is highly likely that you’re experiencing reduced water pressure.
Here are a few reasons that your home might have low water pressure:
1. Buildups in pipes
Over time, the sediments in water, while extremely small, can build up to the point that it starts to clog the pipes. While this can happen to pretty much any pipe in your home, it is common with ones that are connected to your water heating tank. In any case, buildups can cause a few or all of the fixtures in your home to produce less water.
There are a few ways you can fix this problem. You can consider attaching a hose to the bottom of your water heater and partially drain it. Then, fill up the leftover space with a gallon or two of vinegar. Once that is done, turn the heater back on and leave the problematic taps in your homes open until you smell the vinegar. Once you smell it, close the faucets and avoid using them for at least six hours. The vinegar should dissolve the buildups. Once that’s done, refill the tank with normal water and keep the taps on until you smell no more vinegar.
2. Clogged up mesh screens
There are mesh screens in your faucets and taps that are also known as aerator screens. These screens do not do anything in terms of filtering water. Instead, they help conserve water by managing the flow. Similar to pipes, the screens can get clogged over time. You can tell that this had happened when water doesn’t flow in a steady stream or like it used to when the fixture was still new.
To fix this, remove the screen and have it soaked in a warm bath of water and vinegar. If you find that this solution does not work, purchase a new set of aerator screens to replace the old one.
3. Partially opened main shutoff valve
If you find that the entire home is experiencing low water pressure, your main shutoff valve is likely partially open. All the water in your house travels through that valve, and having it partially opened or closed will affect your entire property.
To locate your main shutoff valve, look around in your basement or outside the home. It is usually located near the wall of your house facing the street. Its handle is usually red and in the shape of a lever or a wheel, so it should be easy to spot. Once you find it, turn it appropriately (parallel with the pipe if it’s a lever, or turn it counter-clockwise if it’s a wheel) to fully open the valve.
Conclusion
These are just some of the reasons your home might be experiencing low water pressure. From a partially opened main shutoff valve to clogged up pipes, all of these will disrupt the flow of water in your house.
If you have tried these solutions and none have worked so far, call a professional to check the problem for you. They will quickly address the precise cause of the issue and take the necessary action to fix it for you.
Atlantic Heating & Cooling offers you multiple services that cover heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and more. If you are looking for plumbers in Northern New Jersey to fix your low-water-pressure problem, reach out to us today!
