When you have to use more than one plumbing fixture at a time, you may experience low water pressure. Your home’s water pressure may be fine when you’re only using one fixture, but you might notice a significant drop if you have to use another. Low water pressure can affect your entire home, or it can affect one fixture. Listed below are some of the situations that can cause low water pressure:
* Regulators
* The home’s elevation
* Valves
* Leaks
* Peak usage
* Regulators
Your home’s water pressure regulator is typically found below the main connection point. They are usually preset to 45-60 psi, and don’t need adjustment in most cases. However, they can fail, and replacement is a difficult job best left to a plumbing service.
Elevation
Water cannot be compressed without transferring pressure in a horizontal direction. The water in your pipes is at the same pressure, no matter the angle of the pipe, and storage tanks must be on higher ground to allow proper flow to the homes in your neighborhood.
Valves
Sometimes, your home’s water valves can be turned off by mistake. Before calling a plumber for a low water pressure issue, you should check your home valve (near an outside hose bib) and your customer valve, which is located in your water meter box. Even a slight turn toward the “off” position can result in water pressure decreases.
Leaks
Any leak, no matter its size, can affect your water pressure. To determine if you have a leak, turn off all your taps and take a reading, repeating in two hours. If there is an increase, you likely have a leak that should be handled by a professional plumber.
High Use
Most people use water at the same times during the day, and that can also result in low pressure. If that is the case, consider altering your daily routine to avoid peak usage periods.
Hiring a Plumber
When your home has decreased water pressure, there are simple steps you can take to check it. However, when issues such as blockage, leaks and pipe erosion arise, you shouldn’t try to fix it yourself. A Plumber in Philadelphia who can diagnose and treat the issue without making it worse should handle bigger pressure problems.
