Most homeowners have experienced common plumbing issues, like having a drain that is clogged or a faucet with a water leak. But a different kind of problem arises when your faucets and showerheads don’t maintain the necessary pressure to provide you with all of the water that you need. Insufficient water pressure can make it incredibly frustrating to complete simple daily activities, like showering and cleaning.
While a typical U.S. household uses an average 300 gallons of water each day, we usually do not think about how that water reaches our faucets, toilets, dishwashers, and showerheads. In fact, most homeowners don’t even consider their water pressure until something goes wrong.
The average home’s water pressure is around 40 to 50 PSI (pounds per square inch). If the water pressure in your home has dropped below the standard PSI, it will be noticeable when you turn on your sink, bathtub, or shower.
Low water pressure can be a symptom of a wide range of underlying conditions. While the appropriate response to some issues is to simply wait for the problem to resolve, other problems will require contacting a plumbing professional for emergency water leak repair.
Let’s take a look at a few of the most common reasons for low in-home water pressure.
There is a Problem with the Water Supplier
If you have recently noticed a reduction in your home’s water pressure, don’t panic. Rather than immediately assuming the worst and hiring professionals to provide water leak repair services or searching your house for faulty pipes, ask your neighbors if they are experiencing similar issues.
If they are, then there could be a problem at the level of your local water supply company. Contact the local water supplier to find out if this is the case. You may simply need to wait until they have resolved the issue.
Certain repair processes, such as a water main leak repair, may also cause your tap water to run brown or cloudy. Be sure to ask if the maintenance or repairs will result in any water safety issues for your household.
The Main House Shutoff Valve Is Partially Closed
If you have spoken with your neighbors and the low water pressure issue is specific to your house, the next potential culprit is the main shutoff valve to your home. Unless you have had a history of leaking or burst pipes, you’ve probably never needed to locate the main shutoff valve for your house before.
This valve will likely be located inside of your home where the main water supply pipe enters the house. The valve might have a knob that looks similar to the valve on a standard water hose. For this type of valve, open it by turning the knob counterclockwise fully. Alternatively, if your main house shutoff valve has a lever, be sure that the lever is parallel to the corresponding pipe.
When the main shutoff valve is only partially opened, less water enters the home. This causes the water pressure to drop.
Clogged Pipes
While you might think that clogged pipes only develop just below drains, clogging can occur anywhere along the length of a pipeline. Some particularly deep clogs can hinder the flow of water enough to affect the water pressure in your entire home.
In the case of a clog that is deep inside your pipes or underneath your house, it is always best to call a professional plumbing company to manage the issue. When you attempt to address a clog that is especially deep without the proper training, you risk doing damage to the plumbing in your home and causing even more potential problems.
Leaking Pipes
One of the most common culprits of low in-home water pressure is leaking pipes. However, it does not take an enormous gushing leak to noticeably reduce the amount of water pressure in your home. When a pipe has developed a leak, some of the water that would have flowed to your faucets is misdirected.
Examine any pipes that you can access to determine if they are wet or if there is standing water nearby. If you don’t see any obvious wet spots but you suspect a leak, turn off all the faucets in your house and record the number on your water meter. Don’t use any water for a few hours and then check the meter again. If the meter has changed, a leak is very likely.
On the other hand, if you are able to locate the leak, you can implement the following stopgap measures:
- Turn off the water supply to stop the pipe from leaking
- Dry the pipe and area as much as possible
- Wrap a rubber plumbing patch over the crack or opening in the pipe
- Use electrical tape and a plumbing leak repair clamp to secure the patch
While a quick fix can help to stop the immediate problem, you will still need to contact a professional plumber to handle the leaking pipe and restore your water pressure to the appropriate level. Even if the rubber patch holds, a leaking pipe can damage the foundation of your home, cause rot in the surrounding wood, and introduce contaminants into your drinking water.
Although these are some of the most common reasons for low water pressure, it is important to note that there are a range of other possible causes, including:
- Shared multi-home pipelines
- Updated local water regulations
- Corroded pipes
- A failed pressure regulator
- A partially closed water meter valve
- Faulty fixtures
A trusted plumbing professional can diagnose and handle the problem, ensuring that your home provides the appropriate amount of water pressure.
Finding Water Leak Repair Near Me
If you are in search of professional water leak repair in Charlotte, North Carolina, contact the plumbing experts at Superior Plumbing & Drains, LLC. Whether you need us to diagnose your low water pressure issue, implement water faucet repair, or simply to repair a leaking toilet, our service technicians are available 24/7.
We have helped thousands of satisfied customers in the Charlotte area! Contact us online or call us at (704) 289-6858 if you live in the Monroe/Charlotte area or (704) 813-2888 if you live in the Gaston area.
