You just come home after a long day at the office. You kick off your shoes, and decide to reward yourself with a refreshing shower. When you turn on the water, all you get is a drizzle instead of an ample rush of water. You quickly realize you’re dealing with low water pressure.
Low water pressure is exactly what it sounds like—weak water that dribbles from faucets and shower heads instead of at full force, and this can be quite annoying, especially when it comes to compromising your shower routine.
There Are Many Reasons For Low Water Pressure
Defective Pressure Regulator
The regulator reduces your home’s water pressure by keeping it within a safe pressure range. The pressure becomes too low when the regulator fails, leaving the home with a low water flow. This failure is commonly due to sediment buildup inside the regulator valve.
Over time, such an accumulation restricts the home’s water pressure.
Faulty Mixing Valve
Some showers have an internal device known as a mixing valve, which controls the amount of cold and warm water a showerhead receives. These valves can wear out, reducing the pressure sent through the showerhead and, possibly, also affecting the water’s temperature.
If you notice adequate water pressure everywhere in your home except the shower, a mixing valve is likely the problem.
Blocked Showerhead
Over time, mineral deposits will contaminate the showerhead and disrupt your water flow. The good news about managing blocked showerheads is there’s a simple solution that doesn’t require intense labor or tools.
Follow these steps to remove mineral deposits:
- Disconnect the showerhead from its arm.
- Rinse the head to remove debris through the opening.
- Soak the showerhead in vinegar to dissolve any remaining deposits.
- Add a few tablespoons of baking soda to the vinegar solution
for extra cleaning action. - Rinse the head with water before reinstalling it onto the shower arm.
Corroded or Leaking Pipes
Old pipes, especially ones made from metal, can corrode or rust from the inside. If mineral deposits are stuck in a water supply pipe, they can disrupt the flow to your shower. Similarly, if you have a small leak somewhere in your plumbing, decreased water pressure could be a noticeable symptom.
A clever way to see if your pipes are leaking is to check your water meter, then turn off all the water in your house (the main water valve should be in your basement). Wait a couple of hours, and then check your water meter again. If the reading has increased, you probably have a leak.
Malfunctioning Water Heater
If you notice the cold-water pressure is fine but the hot-water pressure is low, then the issue may be with your water heater.
Check the valves on the unit to ensure they’re open all the way and see if this improves your hot water flow. If not, the problem may be more extensive. The water lines leading into the water heater may have leaks or blockages, or the unit itself may need replacing.
Low-Flow Showerhead
A showerhead doesn’t need to be defective or dirty to minimize water pressure. Low-flow showerheads come with a regulator to reduce the amount of water flowing through the showerhead. However, they can also decrease water pressure.
One solution is to swap out the showerhead for one that doesn’t restrict water pressure.
Municipal Water Supply
Problems with your city’s municipal water supply can also affect water pressure. In some areas, homes receive their water through underground pipes called water mains.
If your home’s water pressure drops, there could be an issue with the city’s underground valves.
The best solution is to contact the city’s Department of Public Works to discover what might be happening to affect your water pressure.
“Oh, no! Not again!” It’s an understandable reaction when you step into a shower with low water pressure. Don’t put up with a weak shower one day longer. Call a professional plumber who will diagnose the problem, and promptly fix it.
We Help Homeowners
Flader Plumbing and Heating is uniquely suited to assist you in determining the solution that best fits your home and family’s needs. We’ve been serving your neighbors and our community for over 100 years and 4 generations.
The Flader Difference
Only Flader Plumbing and Heating delivers:
- The most responsive service. We’re here for you 24/7.
- Personal attention from certified and licensed technicians.
- The most dependable equipment and parts.
- Money-saving maintenance agreements.
- 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
Reliability
Flader Plumbing and Heating recommends equipment, models, and brands proven to have the fewest problems and service calls. We specialize in:
Comprehensive Services
Whether you need help locating the source of your poor water pressure, have a newly discovered leak, or want to protect outdoor faucets, we are knowledgeable and provide expert service. Our professional technicians arrive on time, listen to your concerns, and answer your questions. They will recommend the right solution and deliver as promised.
Flader technicians average 15 years of experience and are EPA certified.
Expert service, quality parts, and satisfaction guaranteed. There is no reason to compromise. Call us at 847-491-6980.
