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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.
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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
If your home has older metal plumbing, pipe corrosion could be restricting water flow and causing low water pressure throughout the house.
Over time, metal pipes naturally react with water, oxygen, mineral,s and other environmental factors. This process can gradually wear away the pipe material and create a build-up or fust, scale, and debris inside the pipe. As the internal diameter becomes smaller, less water can flow through, resulting in a weaker pressure at taps, showers, and appliances.
Older galvanized steal and copper pipes are particularly susceptible to corrosion, especially in homes with ageing plumbing systems, mineral-rich water, pressure fluctuations, or frequent exposure to hot water.
Signs that corroded pipes may be affecting your water pressure
Low water pressure is often accompanied by other warning signs, including:
- Brown, yellow, or rusty-coloured water
- Blue-green discolouration from copper pipe corrosion
- Water that has a metallic taste or unusual odour
- Frequent clogs or slow-draining fixtures
- Fluctuating water temperatures
- Visible rust, flaking, or corrosion on exposed pipes
- Small leaks or recurring pinhole leaks
- Unexplained increases in water bills caused by hindden leaks
As corrosion worsens, pipes become less efficient at delivering water throughout the home. In severe cases, weakening pipe walls can lead to leaks and costly water damage.
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!