Tips For Troubleshooting Low Home Water Pressure
As a homeowner, you may be experiencing a problem where the water pressure from your faucets is lower than normal. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially since you own many appliances that require water to do their job. Here are some tips for troubleshooting your problems with low how water pressure.
Shut Off All Water Using Appliances
Start by going around your home and shutting off the water that is going to any appliance that uses it. This can include your washing machine, hot water heater, refrigerator, and dishwasher. Then you can check your faucets by turning them on and seeing how the water pressure is. If your water pressure has been restored to normal, you know the problem was with one of your appliances wasting water. Turn on each appliance one-by-one until you find the culprit that has been causing problems.
Check For Potential Leaks
If shutting off the appliances does not reveal the problem, there could potentially be a leak in a pipe somewhere in your home's plumbing system. You'll want to start by checking any exposed pipes that you can get access to. A common problem is a leaking pipe in a crawl space beneath a home, so you'll have to get underneath the home and see if you can find a potential leak.
Once the exposed pipes have been checked, look for any signs of water damage in places where pipes could be hidden behind walls. For instance, if you have a bathtub above a closet, you'll need to empty the top of the closet to inspect for possible water damage along the ceiling.
If you find water damage, contact a local plumber to help fix the leak.
Check The Water Tap
If the water pressure drop is only happening in a single part of your home, it could be an obstruction in the water line. This can easily happen after years of living in a home, since minerals inside the pipe will build up and collect in your faucet. You will want to remove faucets that are causing you problems, and soak them in a solution that uses 1 part water and 1 part vinegar or lemon juice. The acidic properties of the vinegar or lemon juice will help break down all of the minerals that have hardened in the faucet.
These are just a few ways to troubleshoot a problem with low home water pressure. When you cannot figure it out on your own, you'll need to contact a plumber, like one from Mike Hensley Plumbing Inc, for professional help.