If you have had low water pressure in the house before, you’ll know what a nuisance it can be. It will cause little to no water to come out, and when it does come out, it is merely a trickle.
If you’re in a rush to get ready and the shower or tap is doing this, it can quickly become an absolute nightmare. It is such a common occurence to happen in homes all over the country though.
You’re likely to experience this problem yourself at some point in your time owning or renting a home. So when it does happen, you want to be armed with many ways in which you can quickly eradicate the issue.
There are a few different reasons as to why low water pressure might occur, and there are a few different techniques you can use to fix the problems.
We’ve outlined some of the most common for you.
Pipes Problem
One of the biggest reasons for low water pressure to occur is due to a problem with either the pipes. If your home is old, chances are the steel pipes that run through and beneath it have come blocked.
Over many years limescale is deposited through the pipes. Eventually, it will build up to such a level that it will restrict the flow of water, therefore restricting the pressure coming through They may have even just become so corroded over time.
When this happens, there isn’t much that you will be able to do about the problem. The only solution for you is to get a plumber in to replace all of the pipes. This is a really expensive solution, but it is one of the most long-lasting.
This is usually a last resort, and there are a few other things that might be causing the low water pressure that you can investigate before getting to this stage.
Fixture Specific Low Pressure
If your water pressure if low, but only at a certain place within the house, then the problem may not be as bad as it seems. This is known as fixture specific low pressure.
It is most likely going to be due to the valves integrated into the system. For example, your kitchen tap will have a valve underneath it that needs to remain fully open for full pressure to be given.
Most houses are designed so that the underneath of the kitchen sink is accessible through a cupboard. If yours is, then this task is easy enough for you to do.
Along the pipe running down from the sink, you should see a valve coming off it. Try turning it in a full rotation clockwise. For one reason or another, this might have been knocked in the opposite direction, thus preventing the flow slightly.
Make sure you’re not too forceful with the valve. Damaging it will be a more costly affair.
Blocked Faucet Aerator
If that doesn’t work, then you could be experiencing the problem of a blocked faucet aerator. It is a feature that is found at the end of most taps, as well as showers.
It has the role of adding air to the flow of water. This then helps to create a consistent stream. It is easy enough for it to become blocked with a buildup of mineral deposits as well as other pieces of debris.
You can create many home solutions to this problem. All it needs is a good clean to be back in working order. Locate and remove the aerator from the troublesome faucet. Make sure you handle it with care, breaking it will cause you more of a problem than you first had.
Take the aerator apart, taking great care when doing so. Make sure you remember which way the parts came out from when you have to reassemble them.
Vinegar is then going to be needed to help remove the mineral build up. Soak the aerator in a vinegar solution for two to three hours. While doing this, use a cotton ear bud to clean the inside of the faucet it came from.
Then, simply rinse the parts and reassemble in the correct order. Once reattached the water pressure should return to normal. If not it may be that the issue is caused by the first point we made in this article, or the aerator is damaged.
In this case, simply buy a new part and attach it to the faucet.
Problem with the Pressure Meter
The pressure meter located on the outside of your house might be the cause of the issue if pressure is low throughout the whole household.
If you know where it is on your house, then this could be an easy solution for you. If you’re struggling to find it, there are some guides on the internet that will show you what it looks like and where it is most commonly found on the house.
It will however usually be where the cold water pipe enters your house. Just like with the underneath of the tap, there will be valves next to the water meter that you can adjust.
Turn it all the way clockwise to open it up. It is even easier for the ones outside your home to be knocked anticlockwise slightly, so a simple twist could make life within the home easier for you.
Problem with the Water Pressure Regulator
If you have a water pressure regulator outside your home, this also might be the reason for your problems. Sometimes they may become faulty, or simply just need adjusting.
Unlike the other solutions, this is a job that is best being left to the plumber. It shouldn’t take too long to do, and definitely won’t be as expensive as having the pipes refitted.
Most homes that have a water pressure regulator will experience an issue at some point due to the wear and tear they will incur.
So if you have low water pressure in your home, we would now hope that you are armed with a few ways of fixing it.
Granted, some may be more expensive than others, but having a good flow of water pressure is more important.
If you’ve tried everything and the low water pressure still persists, give ALK plumbers a call.