low water pressure

A functional home plumbing system serviced by a professional plumber has the right amount of water pressure, affecting how effectively you perform several household tasks. For example, water determines how much joy you get from a shower and how fast you rinse your dishes when washing them at the kitchen sink. 

Filling the bathtub can take ages, and rinsing off the shampoo from your hair can be a dreadful experience if the water pressure in your home is low. Sometimes, an easy fix will take care of the problem. Other times, though, you need to call in a professional plumber. Read on to learn common causes of low water pressure in your home.

1. A Partially Open Main Shutoff Valve

A wrongly positioned main shutoff valve can cause low water pressure because this valve determines the amount of water that enters your home. Completely shutting it off will cut off your home’s water supply. So, the main shutoff valve should be the first thing you check if the water pressure is low.

You can find this valve either in the basement or the exterior wall of your home’s utility area. It’s typically on the street-facing side of your home as city water typically enters the home from this side. If the handle for the shutoff valve is wheel-like, make sure it’s turned all the way counterclockwise.

If the handle is a lever, it must be parallel to the direction of the pipe. A partially open main shutoff valve is common when a homeowner fails to return it to the right position after having some plumbing work done. This valve is under the control of your household.

2. A Partially Open Water Meter Valve

The water meter valve is similar to the main shutoff valve in that this valve is the main water source. It’s the city, however, that controls it — not the homeowner. For that reason, only in case of a plumbing emergency should you tamper with the water meter valve.

There’s no harm in checking it, though. The water meter valve is often located beside your water meter. The valve is parallel with the water pipe or supply line when it’s open. Any other position will alter the water flow to your home, in which case you should contact the Irving, TX water department to advise you on how to restore your water pressure.

3. Issues Related to Your Hot Water Heater

Surprising as it may seem, your hot water heater can affect hot or cold water pressure. A hot water heater can lower water pressure in one of two ways. The first is hot water buildup. Sediments like minerals gradually accumulate in the heater tank and connected pipes. As the buildup increases, it restricts the inflow or outflow of water depending on its location.

The second way a hot water heater reduces water pressure is through the water heater valve. If the heater’s shutoff valve isn’t fully open, your home will have low water pressure. In this case, fully opening the valve will restore the water pressure. Keep in mind that water heaters can be dangerous as they generate immense pressure, so it’s best to let a professional plumber handle it.

4. A Clogged Aerator Screen

The mesh screen at the end of a tap is called an aerator screen. It has numerous small holes that control water flow, making it an effective solution for water conservation and water flow management. If it becomes clogged, water flow through the aerator diminishes. Remove the tap, soak it in vinegar solution and hot water to remove the mineral or sediment buildup. If the buildup proves too difficult to remove, replace the tap.

5. Corroded or Clogged Pipes

If none of the causes mentioned so far are behind the low water pressure in your home, then you might have a bigger plumbing problem on your hands. One such problem might be corroded or clogged pipes.

A clog restricts the flow of water in a pipe while increasing pressure in the area behind the clog. Eventually, the pipe may burst. Older homes are more susceptible to the corrosion of pipes. Discoloration and an unusual taste may indicate corrosion if they occur alongside low water pressure.

6. A Faulty Water Pressure Regulator

Your home likely has a water pressure regulator that controls water flow. If the water pressure regulator malfunctions or becomes worn, the water pressure in your home may fluctuate by going exceedingly low or high. The change in pressure is usually abrupt and noticeable throughout the home.

You can use a water pressure gauge to measure your home’s water pressure. Call a professional plumber to replace the water pressure regulator if you suspect that it may be faulty. The replacement procedure requires shutting off the water meter valve, which is the city’s property, and licensed plumbers have the permits to handle them.

7. Leaks in Your Plumbing System

Regardless of their location in your plumbing system, leaks eventually lead to plumbing problems. Among these problems is low water pressure. Some leaks are easy to identify as they result in the accumulation of water in visible areas. In many cases, though, they are out of sight, and you need to hire a professional plumber to inspect your home and locate the leaks.

Consult the Irving, TX, Water Department and Call a Plumber

Unexpected changes in your water usage are usually signs of plumbing issues, and obtaining a statement of your water consumption from the Irving water department may help identify the cause. However, note that even though the statement from the water department may provide you with some useful information, it will likely not give you the answers you need.

For that, call a professional plumber to inspect your home and figure out what’s causing the low water pressure. Choose a plumbing company with extensive experience serving homeowners in Irving, TX. Your plumber must also be licensed and insured. Call Tioga Contractors today to get a lasting solution for the low water problem in your home.

Photo By Lane V. Erickson at Shutterstock

Photo By Josep Curto at Shutterstock

Have you had problems with low water pressure in your home? Perhaps you’re wondering what causes water pressure to become low?

What causes low water pressure is one of the most common questions that plumbers are asked regularly. In this blog, we’ll answer this question and tell you what you can do about low water pressure.

If you’re experiencing problems with low water pressure, contact a professional who can find the specific cause of your low pressure and will be able to fix it. If you live in Hurst, TX, or the surrounding area and are searching for a plumber, you may like to contact Tioga Contractors. The company offers all types of plumbing, electrical, and glass services.

What causes low water pressure?

Problems with the water pressure in your home are likely to present themselves in different ways, and these can all be very frustrating for homeowners. You may notice that the faucets take longer than usual to fill your bath or sink. Your showerhead might not be providing adequate spray, or your washing machine may take longer to complete its cycle than usual.

Problems caused by low water pressure are common, and these may affect one fixture or may be a widespread issue that affects the whole house. If you have water pressure problems, you’ll need to call in a plumber who will be able to work out what the problem is and fix it. If the problem has been caused by one fixture or fitting, this can likely be remedied quickly and easily. The professional will focus on fixing that one fixture and also looking at the pipes that serve it.

Widespread water pressure problems that affect your whole property are a little harder to fix, but a professional will have experience of such issues. If your entire home has a water pressure issue, the plumber will narrow down the cause by checking things like the water meter valve, the main house shut off valve, and the pressure regulator. Here are a few things that a plumber may suggest.

Look at the Water Meter Valve

In most properties, there are two shut off valves that control the flow of water to the house. The first is called the water meter valve; this is usually located next to the water meter. It’s on the main city water supply line, which serves your home. This valve is likely to be found on an outside wall of your home if you live in warm climates or an underground box. It may also be in an interior location such as your basement or could even be attached to the garage wall.

It’s not recommended that homeowners touch this valve as it belongs to the water company and should only be adjusted by a plumber or employee of the water company. If you have low water pressure throughout your home, it’s likely to be due to the water meter valve.

The main water meter valve can cause low water pressure, not being fully open. This is common, especially if you’ve had some work done recently on your plumbing system.

The water meter valve should be fully open to supply your home with adequate water at the right pressure.

Check the Main House Shutoff Valve

Your home will also have a shutoff valve inside the house. This will be near where the water supply enters the property. In some cases, the main shutoff valve may be outdoors. This valve also needs to be fully open as it can cause low pressure if it isn’t. Sometimes this valve can be left incorrectly positioned if a plumber has done work on your system. If your water pressure has changed after a repair, it’s likely this valve wasn’t opened completely. ​​

The Pressure Regulator

A faulty pressure regulator may cause your home’s water pressure to change. The Pressure regulator is the control valve that helps to reduce the input pressure in your plumbing system. It keeps the pressure at a safe level so that it won’t damage your pipes. Pressure regulators aren’t installed in all homes. If your pressure regulator starts to fail, this can cause severe problems with the water pressure. It can cause low water pressure but could also increase the water pressure. If your water pressure problems seem to be affecting your whole home rather than just one fixture, it may be due to the pressure regulator failing.

You may need to replace the pressure regulator, but shouldn’t attempt this yourself, unless you know exactly what you are doing. You don’t want to end up with more severe problems. Call a plumber who will take care of it as this job will require completely shutting off the water to your home.

Are Your Pipes Old?

One of the most serious reasons that your water pressure has fallen is that your pipes may be old and corroded. This is most likely if your home has galvanized steel water pipes. In time they start to become corroded, and this restricts the flow of water around your system. Steel pipes corrode on the inside, and a build-up of corrosion, as well as scale, can start to close off the pipe. This problem will usually take decades to occur, so your water pressure will lower gradually until it becomes a problem. If you have recently moved into an older house with steel pipes, the problem may appear reasonably quickly.

If your home has old steel pipes, a plumber will likely recommend re-piping the whole system with new pipes that are either copper or plastic. This will be expensive but will sort out the problem.

Tioga Contractors

If you’re searching for a plumbing company in Hurst, TX, don’t hesitate to contact Tioga Contractors. The company is available for all types of plumbing jobs, including unblocking toilets, leak detection, and finding water pressure issues.

Tioga Contractors are a Home Advisor top-rated business and a BBB accredited business. They have a track record of providing good quality work and fantastic customer service.

As well as plumbing services, they are also sub-contractors and can provide electricians and work with glass, if you need any windows installed. The company can be contacted on 817-484-5356 and are available for an emergency call out.