Low Water Pressure Got You Down? Troubleshoot!

Low water pressure is one of the most common Atlanta plumbing problems we hear about. It may not represent an emergency, but it sure does affect your quality of life – with water pressure too low, you wind up wasting lots of time waiting for water to come out of your faucet or shower head, especially if your bathroom is on the second floor.

Low water pressure in your plumbing system can have a number of different causes, and some of them you can take a look at and even resolve yourself. Here are a few things to look for if the water pressure is low in your home.

Leaky Pipes

This is an obvious one, but if there are leaks in any of your plumbing, they could be causing the loss of pressure in the system as a whole. Evidence of leaks in your plumbing can include wet spots or moisture on walls and ceilings. If you find evidence of leaky pipes, give us a call right away so we can assess the situation. Dripping faucets are another sign that your plumbing system needs to be checked out by R.S. Andrews, as is a toilet that won’t stop running.

Hot Water Pressure is Low, Cold Water Isn’t

If the low pressure problem only seems to be affecting the hot water, you may have a problem with your hot water heater. Try checking the shutoff valve located near your water heater to ensure that it’s fully open; a partially closed shutoff valve can reduce water pressure while continuing to allow water to flow.

Only the Shower Has Low Pressure

If the water pressure seems fine in the bathroom sink, but is weak coming out of the showerhead, you may have mineral deposits in your showerhead that are restricting water flow. If your showerhead has built up mineral deposits, you can clean it yourself with a  little vinegar and baking soda.

The Water Pressure Drops at Certain Times of Day

If your water pressure seems to be low at certain times of day, and fine at other times, your system may be reflecting the level of water demand in your neighborhood that peaks at certain times of day. Typically water demand is highest in the morning and in the evening, two times when people tend to be showering or washing clothes, or even watering their lawns after the workday. If your water pressure drops at predictable intervals in the morning and evening, it may just be because of these spikes in demand.

If you’re suffering from low water pressure day in and day out and you can’t put your finger on the problem, give R.S. Andrews a call today. Our expert plumbers have over 40 years of experience and the right tools and expertise to get your plumbing system working perfectly – don’t suffer through another day of low water pressure and lackluster, unsatisfying showers!