What Causes Low Water Pressure?

Every homeowner has experienced low water pressure at one point or another. Whether it occurs at the sink or in the shower, you will know if the flow of water is less than ideal for you. Unfortunately, low water pressure can lead to time wasted waiting for a tub to fill or a washing machine to run its cycle.

If you are experiencing these issues in your home, it helps to know the potential causes, so you can find the right solution.

Water Meter Valve

First, check if the water meter valve is fully open. Most homes have two major shutoff valves, one being the water meter valve, which is usually located right next to the water meter on the main city supply pipe serving your home. If you recently had repairs done and the main water meter valve was shut off, it may not have been fully turned back on.

The other main shutoff valve is the home’s shutoff located inside the house, near where the main city supply pipe enters through the foundation wall. Make sure this valve is fully open too; like the water meter valve, it may have been shut off for repair work.

Pressure Regulator

Another reason for low water pressure is a faulty pressure regulator or pressure reducing valve. If the pressure regulator fails, you will notice the effect on all fixtures in your home, not just one faucet. If your water pressure regulator is failing, it’s best to have a professional replace it.

Pipe Corrosion

In older homes with galvanized steel water pipes, these can corrode so much that the water flow is significantly restricted. This problem occurs slowly over time, so you may not notice it right away. If you do happen to observe that the water pressure continues to diminish, have a plumbing professional check the condition of your water pipes for corrosion.
 
M.J. Fahy & Sons have provided expert plumbing services for over 130 years. Trust our team to diagnose the reason behind your low water pressure and present a solution. Contact us today!