A sudden drop in water pressure can turn your morning shower into a trickle and make dishwashing a chore. Hard water, hidden leaks, or corroded pipes often lie behind sluggish taps and weak sprays. At Yellow Submarine Plumbing & Rooter, we track down the root causes of water pressure problems and restore robust flow throughout every faucet and fixture. Let’s go over the steps to diagnose and fix pressure problems before they disrupt your daily routine.
Common Causes of Poor Water Pressure
A variety of factors can cause poor water pressure. Over the years, our team has seen virtually all of them.
Plumbing Leaks
The most worrisome cause of reduced water pressure is a plumbing leak. When one of the lines that carries water to your faucets and other plumbing appliances has a hole in it, it can’t maintain adequate pressure. To make things even more worrisome, it’s not always easy to see exactly where the leak is. Many of your pipes run behind walls or under your floors, and a steady stream of water can damage those parts of your home.
Fortunately, we offer quality leak detection services designed to pinpoint the exact location of your leak. Once we know where the leak is, we can repair it or replace the damaged section of pipe. This restores your water pressure while also helping you save on your monthly water bill.
Clogged Pipes
Even if you don’t have a damaged pipe, your water lines may still be to blame for your poor water pressure. Limescale buildup is the most common culprit of clogged water lines. When water flows into your home, the minerals in it can adhere to the inside of your pipes. Over time, that buildup clogs the pipes and makes it harder for water to pass through.
If you only have poor water pressure in one sink, tub, or shower, the problem may be relatively limited. However, if you have widespread water pressure issues, the main line carrying water into your home might be clogged. In many cases, we can clear the clog. However, there are instances in which it’s better to replace an entire section of the water line.
Corroded Pipes
Over time, some pipe materials begin to degrade, which leads to clogs forming in the lines. If you live in an older home with its original plumbing, you may be dealing with outdated materials. Fortunately, pipe replacement is a great option. Many modern plumbing materials can last for up to 70 years.
It’s important to replace corroded pipes as soon as possible. If the problem persists, you may end up with plumbing leaks that can damage your home in addition to reducing your water pressure.
Using Too Many Appliances
One of the most common causes of reduced water pressure isn’t something that requires professional repair. When you have too many plumbing appliances in use at once, you’re almost certain to notice a decline in your water pressure. For instance, if you have the washing machine and dishwasher running while you take a shower, you’ll notice less water pressure in all three areas.
Try to limit the number of plumbing appliances that are in use together. This ensures that every appliance, shower, and sink gets the water pressure that it needs.
Damaged Fixtures
Your problems with water pressure may have more to do with your plumbing fixtures than the pipes that deliver water to them. Generally, this is easy to diagnose because only certain parts of your home will have low water pressure.
If you notice low water pressure in a shower but the pressure is normal in other parts of your home, you may only have a faulty showerhead. A faulty aerator or cartridge can lead to isolated problems with water pressure. Our team can determine exactly what component is failing and will help you choose between repair and replacement.
Faulty Water Heater
If you only have reduced water pressure when you’re trying to use hot water, the issue could be your water heater. Go through your home and see if you get adequate water pressure when you turn on the cold water. If the cold water is flowing like it usually does, your water heater is probably struggling to get hot water to your fixtures.
Next Steps to Consistent Water Pressure
Whether you have a hidden leak inside a wall or something as simple as a faulty showerhead, we can determine exactly what’s wrong. With professional diagnostics and targeted repairs, we’ll end pressure struggles for good. Our team at Yellow Submarine Plumbing & Rooter in Nanaimo, BC offers full plumbing services, from drain cleaning to pipe repair. Contact us to schedule your water pressure consultation today.
