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Picture this. You turn on the faucet and only a trickle of water flows out. It’s barely enough to wash your hands let alone wash the dishes, and you definitely want to forget about taking a shower. Low water pressure can easily become a huge nightmare to many homeowners. It can be notoriously difficult to repair, especially if you’re unsure of what the cause behind the problem may be.
If you are dealing with low water pressure, one of the first things that you’ll want to do is call a plumber in Granbury, TX to come to take a look at your plumbing. You should also provide the plumber with further information on when the low water pressure first started to emerge, as well as the extent to which the problem has worsened. With more information to work with, the professional will be able to find the cause much more easily. They’ll also be able to recommend several solutions to you based on your budget or needs.
#1. The City Regulations Have Changed
If you’ve noticed that the water pressure has dropped although not significantly enough for it to be too much of a problem, the problem may not lie with your plumbing at all. Instead, you’ll want to check to see whether the city regulations have changed. When this happens, your water supplier will have no choice but to comply. You’ll be able to find out this information from your city’s website. There should be some information on what the new regulations may be.
If the new regulations aren’t suitable for your needs and you’d like to have higher water pressure in your home, your only solution is to purchase and install a water pressure booster system. You’ll need to rely on a Granbury, TX plumber to install the system for you. Proper installation will depend on a variety of factors, like the type and condition of the pipes in your home. You should also get an inspector to take a look at your current plumbing system, so you’ll know what type of changes you can expect with the water booster system.
Tips for Installing a Water Booster System
Installing a water booster system is not easy, so it’s usually a good idea to rely on a professional plumber to do the job for you. In general, the system should be installed close to the main line where the water enters the home for optimal performance.
Another tip that you should consider is having a bypass system installed close to the water booster system just in case the pump malfunctions. The bypass system will allow you to isolate the pump if anything goes wrong. This also makes it much easier for a plumber to troubleshoot the problem at a later time.
#2. The Main Shutoff Valve Isn’t Open All the Way
If you’ve recently had some type of plumbing work done to your home or if you have recently worked on your plumbing by yourself, the low water pressure may be because the main house shut-off valve isn’t open all the way. You’ll need to go back to the shutoff valve and turn it open to see whether that’s the reason. Fortunately, this is a fairly simple solution and does not signify that there’s anything wrong with your plumbing.
#3. Your Water Supplier Is Experiencing Some Issues
If the low water pressure came seemingly out of nowhere, it could also be that the problem lies with your water supplier. In which case, you don’t have to worry about the plumbing system in your home. Once your water supplier solves the issue, the water pressure will return to normal levels almost immediately.
If your water supplier is the source of your problem, you won’t be the only person to notice that the water pressure has dropped significantly. Due to this reason, you can get a fairly good idea as to whether the water supplier is the problem by asking your neighbors. If the water supplier is indeed the problem, your neighbors will complain about experiencing the same thing.
The next step is to contact the water supplier and ask them if they are aware of the issue and if they are working on it. In general, once the water supplier is aware of the problem, the problem should be fixed within several hours. All you can do is sit tight. If the water supplier denies that there’s a problem, you might need to start a petition for them to fix the low water pressure.
#4. The Pressure Regulator Is Failing
This might not always be a problem for everyone; however, if your plumbing system has a pressure regulator, then the problem may lie with that. The pressure regulator is not necessary for all plumbing systems, so those who do not already have a pressure regulator installed can ignore this section completely.
To determine if the pressure regulator is failing, you can test it with a water pressure gauge. All you have to do is to attach the gauge to an outside hose spigot that is closest to the pressure regulator. The gauge should give you a reading once you turn the water on. If the reading is lower than what the pressure regulator is reporting, then the problem might lie with the pressure regulator.
There are several different solutions that you can consider, but you should speak with a plumber first to see what they recommend. The most recommended solution is to replace the pressure regulator entirely. If you’d like to do this, speak with a plumber about the type of pressure regulator that will best fit the needs of your home. Now may be a good time to upgrade this part.
#5. The Pipes Are Clogged
One of the main problems that most plumbers respond to is clogged pipes. Fortunately, because of the frequency of which this happens, this is one of the easiest problems for most plumbers to solve. They’ll be able to patch up the leak if it is small. If the leak is large, they’ll want to determine what caused the leak. For example, if the problem is caused by tree root intrusion, the plumbing service will identify which tree is causing the problem and whether the tree needs to be relocated or whether the roots can be removed for the time being. They’ll also determine whether the plumbing can be replaced or patched up.
If you get regular drain cleaning services from a plumber, you’ll also be able to significantly reduce the frequency at which the pipes get clogged. It’s always better to get a drain cleaning service done by a professional rather than using chemical cleaners. Chemical cleaners can damage the plumbing, as they can be quite abrasive and harsh. It really depends on the type of plumbing that you have in your home.
#6. There’s Corrosion in the Plumbing
Depending on the type of plumbing that you have, the pipes may get corroded. Galvanized steel pipes have an expiration date, as they will start to corrode after 20 years or so. Copper pipes will usually last quite a bit longer and will only start to corrode after 50 years. The timeline might get sped up if the pipes are not properly maintained.
This might not always be a problem for everyone; however, if your plumbing system has a pressure regulator, then the problem may lie with that. The pressure regulator is not necessary for all plumbing systems, so those who do not already have a pressure regulator installed can ignore this section completely.
One of the reasons why you should call a plumber is because it’s difficult to figure out where the corrosion is from the outside. You’ll be able to easily identify which areas of your plumbing are compromised with help from a plumber. The plumber will have various video surveillance tools that can see inside the plumbing. They’ll also be able to determine whether there are any other plumbing problems that need to be addressed.
#7. There’s a Leak
If there’s a leak somewhere in the plumbing, then there’s also a good chance that the water pressure will be low. This is because most of the water is exiting the plumbing before the fixture. If the leak is so big that the water pressure has dropped significantly, then you’ll also want to figure out where the leak is as soon as possible. If you fail to find the leak, the water damage may be so significant that it may compromise the structural integrity of your home. You may need extensive renovations to fix the problem.
If you can’t get a plumber to come to you immediately, then you might want to wrap the leak with a rubber patch or seal it with epoxy. It’s vital to note that these solutions are not permanent. They are only temporary and will begin to fail after several days, so you definitely need to schedule an appointment with a plumber as soon as possible.
If you don’t know where the leak is, turn off the water supply and call for emergency plumbing services in Granbury, TX. The leak could be anywhere. In fact, it can even be outside in the main water line. If the leak is outside, you’ll usually notice that a spot in your garden appears to be extremely wet. In fact, there might even be a puddle at the top. In which case, all the plumbing service has to do is drill down.
#8. The Fixtures Are Faulty
Last but not least, another reason why the water pressure in your home might be low is that the plumbing fixtures are faulty. This is something that may happen with time and with wear. If the fixtures are indeed faulty, you will notice that only one of the fixtures seems to have low water pressure. For example, you’ll know that there’s something wrong with your bathroom sink if the water pressure from that sink is low, but the water pressure elsewhere in your home is fine.
The most common problem with the fixture will usually lie with the aerator. The aerator is responsible for reducing the volume of water that comes out from the faucet. If the aerator is clogged with dirt or dust or if it’s rusted over, the fixture will have low water pressure. The best solution is to clean the aerator if possible. If it’s not possible, you should consider replacing the entire fixture. Now would be a great time to install a new faucet or fixture. Depending on what fixture is faulty, you might even be able to get away with upgrading a smart alternative that’s even more energy-efficient than before.
Our Plumbers Can Help!
It’s never fun to have to deal with low water pressure. This is definitely a symptom of a much larger problem, and you should call a plumber in Granbury, TX as soon as possible to get the problem fixed. Low water pressure can be a sign that there’s something terribly wrong, and if you choose to ignore the problem, it will only become worse. You’ll also have to live with the low water pressure, which can greatly compromise your quality of living.
Fortunately, the plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth have tackled many different situations where low water pressure was a symptom. They will be able to help you diagnose the problem and figure out what the potential solutions may be. We also offer a wide range of other types of plumbing services as well, so we can also take care of your other needs while we’re there. We’ll also be able to provide you with an estimate if you don’t want to go ahead with any other service at that time.
For more information on how we can help or for a free estimate, give us a call at 817-983-7876. Our plumbers in Granbury, TX are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. They’ll be able to help you figure out a game plan in no time!