What Affects Home Water Pressure? The 6 Biggest Factors
What are some factors that affect home water pressure?
- Problems with your water supplier
- Peak usage time
- Closed or damaged water meter valves
- Closed home stop-valves
- Faulty shower heads and faucets
- Damaged pipes
It’s a common problem that we have all experienced at some point in our lives: no water’s coming out of the faucets. Even after checking the other faucets and showers in the house, there’s still no water, or sometimes the pressure’s too weak to be usable. When this happens, it is very helpful to know what affects the water pressure in your home.
People usually don’t know what to do when the water pressure is too low. To keep you more informed, listed below are a few factors that may affect your water pressure. Read on to learn more about water pressure in your home!
Problems with Your Water Supplier
Sometimes, there’s no need to panic. Your water pressure can drop when there’s a problem with your local water supplier. Water pressure is how the water travels from the source, through the pipes, to your home. Since all the water comes from them, any problems would definitely affect the water pressure of your home. Problems with the supplier often affect whole regions where they supply water. Ask around if your neighbors have the same issue.
Also, check for emails, text messages, or other ways that the supplier would notify you of a water interruption that you might not have noticed. Wait for any updates from your supplier or try to contact them to address this concern.
Peak Usage Time
More often than not, people in your community all get water from the same source or supplier. This means that the water being provided is being shared by everyone who gets water from a common water utility company. During peak usage time, when many people are using water all at once, the water pressure may either be too strong or too weak.
The peak time differs for each community. The common peak times are at noon or early in the afternoon when the day is hottest and everyone wants to take a bath or a shower. On the other hand, the water pressure is strongest late at night. Find out what the peak times are in your community so that you know what times the water pressure is normally weak.
Closed or Damaged Water Meter Valves
If you’ve made sure that your supplier isn’t experiencing any problems and the water pressure should be strong at this time of day, then maybe it’s time to check the meter. Your water meter is usually found outside of your house. It is what your water supplier uses to measure your water consumption.
If there’s water leaking out, then maybe it is damaged from wear and tear. As such you shouldn’t do anything to it to avoid any unnecessary breakages. Instead, you can close the valve to stop your meter from running because of the leak. Then, call the necessary professionals to fix it.
If there isn’t any leak, then check if the valve itself is already closed. You can simply turn it open and your water pressure should go up. This could happen if you closed it and forgot to open it, or someone else closed it. Either way, the water meter valve should be open to keep water flowing.
Closed Home Stop-Valves
Some homes have stop or shutoff valves in their plumbing to be able to control the water pressure better. Much like the water meter valve, there is a chance that this is partially or completely closed. Double-check these stop-valves to make sure they’re open and freely letting water flow.
Faulty Showerheads and Faucets
Low water pressure can also be caused by faulty showerheads or faucets. The distinguishing factor here is when the water pressure is low for only a single faucet or showerhead. If everything else seems to be in order, then try to check how well these parts are working.
Calling a plumber would definitely help with fixing these, but sometimes you can figure it out yourself. Another option is to simply replace them with brand new working parts.
Leaking or Damaged Pipes
One of the most common causes of low water pressure is leaking or damaged pipes. The intricate plumbing system of our homes goes all around the house behind the walls and under the floors. If even one of them starts leaking, the water pressure will immediately go down.
Call a professional to check all your pipes and fix any possible damages. Leaking or any broken parts may be caused by a number of things. Pests like rats may chew on them or move around enough to damage them if the pipes aren’t strong enough. Also, pipes can corrode after a certain amount of time.
Pipes have their own expiration dates. It takes many years for it to happen, but if you live in an older house, this is a possibility. Having good quality pipes from the beginning should avoid problems concerning them.
Key Takeaway
The importance of water in our homes is often overlooked. But when the water is gone, we realize how much couldn’t be done without it. All the factors listed above can help you figure out what affects water pressure in your home. Keeping them in mind might just save you from more waterless days ahead.
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