Water Pressure Problems: What Every Homeowner Should Know
Homeowners rarely give much thought to their home’s water pressure until it creates a problem. The problem could be that your water pressure is too low, resulting in weak water flow through your shower, or it could be that your water pressure is too high and causing damage to your plumbing system. Whatever the reason for your water pressure problem, you need to address it. Proper water pressure will protect your home’s Pipes and plumbing fixtures and appliances, which will allow your home to run smoothly.
If you notice a difference in your home’s water pressure, knowing what could be the cause may help you decide if there is a simple fix or if you need to contact a licensed plumber.
Normal residential water pressure
Residential water pressure is usually expressed in terms of pounds per square inch (PSI).
Typical water pressure range:
Between 40 – 80 PSI is acceptable.
50 – 70 PSI is ideal.
Over 80 PSI: may cause damage to your plumbing.
Under 40 PSI: can create very poor water flow.
Whatever your water pressure is, if it leaves the typical water pressure range, it can make life inconvenient for you, and likely lead to costly repair costs to your plumbing.
Early warning signs of water pressure problems
Knowing the early warning signs of water pressure problems can prevent larger plumbing issues.
Low water pressure
Signs include:
Showerhead spray is weak.
Your Faucets produce only a trickle.
Your Washing machine takes forever to fill.
Your dishwasher is taking a lot longer to finish its cycle.
Your Outdoor hose lacks power.
Either a single fixture or all of them in the house can be experiencing low water pressure.
High water pressure
High water pressure may seem like good news at first, but ultimately, it can be very detrimental over time.
Here are some of the common warning signs:
You hear loud banging in your Pipes (water hammer).
Your Faucets leak.
Your toilet constantly runs.
Appliances fail prematurely.
Your Pipes Burst.
You get higher-than-normal water bills.
Everyday high pressure puts excessive strain on your plumbing system.
Possible reasons for low water pressure
There are many things that can cause low water pressure problems.
1. Hard water deposits build up inside your home.
Hard water deposits build up inside your home’s faucet aerators, shower heads and Pipes over time.
Common Symptoms:
Spray is uneven.
Flow rate is reduced.
White mineral buildup appears.
Clean or replace fixtures and the flow should return to normal.
2. Hidden Water Leaks in walls and under slab.
Leaks in walls, under slabs and underground restrict the volume of water that reaches your fixtures.
Watch for:
Unusual increases in your monthly water bill.
Visible wet spots.
Mold and mildew growing.
Continuous sound of running water.
Ac plumbing construction provides professional leak detection services to find hidden plumbing leaks before they become large problems.
3. Old galvanized steel Pipes have rusted out over time.
Galvanized steel Pipes rust out from the inside over time.
As rust builds:
Pipe diameter reduces.
Water flow slows down.
Rusty colored water comes into view.
Replacing old piping may be the best option to extend the life of your aging plumbing system.
4. Pressure reducer fails.
Most Homes have a PRV (pressure-reducing valve) installed in the line coming off of the city supply lines.
When it fails:
Pressure drops below expected levels.
Pressure rises above acceptable limits.
Pressure fluctuates wildly.
Have a licensed plumber inspect and replace a failed regulator if required.
5. City water supply problems cause low pressure.
Sometimes the city’s problems are the origin of low water pressure problems in your Neighborhood.
City examples:
Main breakage.
Hydrant flushing.
Utility work.
Demand spikes from other neighbors.
If several houses in your area have similar low-pressure problems, it may be because of the city’s water supply.
Possible reasons for high water pressure
High water pressure often doesn’t go unnoticed until it causes damage to your plumbing system.
Reasons for high water pressure include:
Failure of the pressure reducing valve
The PRV keeps the incoming city water at safe levels.
When it fails, the household receives unregulated water pressures exceeding safe operational limits.
Changes in city water pressure
Cities raise their water pressures to meet increased demands.
If left unchecked, households can suffer unacceptably high pressures.
Thermal expansion of hot water
Hot water expands within closed systems containing hot-water tanks and plumbing systems.
An expansion tank can regulate thermal expansions and alleviate wild pressure fluctuations caused by heating and cooling of household hot water.
Importance of water pressure
Many homeowners believe that maintaining adequate water pressure is just a matter of convenience. However, improper water pressure can harm many parts of your plumbing system.
Pipes
Water heaters
Faucets
Toilets
Washing machines
Dishwashers
Ice makers
Water filtration systems