Low water pressure can be one of the most annoying plumbing issues to deal with. The most frustrating part of the issue is trying to identify just what is causing low water pressure. When the water pressure in your home is functioning at a subpar level, small daily activities become irksome tasks.
Mineral Buildup and Debris
This is one of the most common problems that cause low water pressure. Any home’s piping system is susceptible to the accumulation of debris including sand, pollutants, and dirt. Even if there aren’t any malfunctions in your plumbing system, the chances of debris buildup are rather high. This is due to the mineral deposits that are left behind as a result of the flow of water through them.
Even the smallest amount of sediment in the pipes has the ability to cause blockage.
Corrosion
This usually occurs when the plumbing system has been in place for a long time; usually a period of more than 20 years. As these pipes corrode over time, the corroded surfaces block the flow of water.
While repairing such highly corroded pipes isn’t really a viable solution, homeowners can replace the systems that are in place. This however, is a time consuming and expensive process but well worth the investment since it only needs to be done every few decades.
Leaks
The problem with low water pressure as a result of leaks is obvious. Since not all the volume of water is reaching its destination. In order to determine whether or not you have a leak causing low water pressure, what you can do is shut off all water taps and look at the meter. If water use has increased, then there is a chance that a leak is causing the water to flow.
Municipal Supply Malfunctions
Not all water pressure problems occur as a result of piping issues within your home. Another major reason for problems such as these is that of malfunctions in the municipal water supply. The source of water supply to your home, these systems are also subject to the same issue such as leaks, corrosion, and debris accumulation.
If you haven’t managed to identify any causes of low water pressure at your home, then you will have to contact the municipal water supply department and let them know of the problem.
Low water pressure can become extremely distressing and agitating simply because of the hindrances it causes in our daily lives. However, it’s not impossible to fix… in fact it doesn’t have to be troublesome at all. Read our blog post on how to fix low water pressure and start enjoying your fixtures again!