Article
Why is my water pressure low? A guide for homeowners
Have you ever stepped into the shower, ready to wash off the dirt and stress of the day, only to find that the low flow is barely enough to wet your body or wash the shampoo out of your hair? These situations can feel frustrating and unsatisfying, especially when they disrupt the routine that helps everyone gets to school, work, and bed on time.
Experiencing a drop in water pressure is a common issue in homes, and there can be many reasons you find yourself asking, “Why is my water pressure low?” The good news is, you can sometimes resolve the cause yourself. For trickier issues, you may need to ask neighbors, your water supplier, or a plumber for help.
What causes low water pressure in the whole house?
Water pressure determines the rate at which waterflows from your taps. It may be measured in “bars” or “pound per square inch” (PSI). A bar is a metric unit roughly equivalent to 14.5 PSI. Typical water pressure should fall between 45-80 PSI, and below 40 PSI is considered low. If you don’t have a water meter, you can ask your water company to measure your water pressure or use a test gauge to measure it yourself.
Problems with water system infrastructure, high water demand in your home, and mineral build-up are all common causes of low water pressure. In some cases, low municipal water supply can be at the heart of water flow problems.
No time to investigate? Learn more about how a booster solution can make water comfort a standard in your home. Get the perfect water pressure today.
Guard your home against a drop in water pressure
Being proactive can help you keep water supply high as you go about the day’s activities. Our water recirculation pumps can ensure your family gets reliable, consistent water pressure today and every day.
Get the perfect water pressure today.
10 common reasons for low water pressure in your house
Here are the most common reasons you can see low water pressure.
Let’s take care of first things first:
1: Your valves are partially or entirely closed
If you’re experiencing lower water pressure than normal, it’s possible your main house shutoff valve or water meter valve aren’t open all the way.
2: There are issues with your water supply
During periods of especially hot weather, your municipality may stagger water to ensure there is enough for everyone throughout the day. Ask your neighbors and contact the water supplier as a first line of defense.
A water booster system is an ideal fix for the following situations:
3: Your city has new regulations
Your supplier may be responding to your city’s updated water regulations, which can result in lower water pressure in your home.
4: Family activities have a high water demand
Though running one or two taps simultaneously shouldn’t affect your water pressure, multiple water-intensive activities – like doing dishes, laundry, and showering at the same time – can mean less water to go around.
5: You share a water line with your neighbors
If your water is divided between multiples households, you can see lower water pressure when your neighbor is taking a shower or washing their car.
In these scenarios, you’ll need to do some cleaning:
6: There’s a faulty fixture
Are you experiencing low water pressure in just one or only a couple places? Your faucet or showerhead might be dirty, blocked, or rusty.
7: There’s mineral build-up
In places with “hard water,” a whitish-grey coating called limescale can block water flow both in the pipes and on appliance surfaces.
In some cases, it’s time to contact a plumber for help:
8: Something else is clogging your pipes
If there’s something stuck in the pipes, like textile or jewelry, they can’t deliver water as effectively.
9: The pipes are corroded
Water pipelines made of galvanized steel may only last for around 20 years. You may notice a drop in water pressure as they approach their end of their life.
10: You’re experiencing a leak
Unfortunately, unpleasant leaks do happen! It’s possible to have more than one leaky pipe. Look around and see if you can find the source of the leak yourself first.
What’s next?
If you can’t find the cause of low water pressure in your home, try contacting your water company or a plumber to ask for help. You may also benefit from a booster pump to boost water flow!