When the pipes are blocked, you know it’s time to call a plumber.
However when the water pressure dips, it becomes a different ball
game. We are going to looking into possible causes of low water
pressure and the remedies.
Main Valve is Halfway Open
After checking whether your neighbors have the same issue and it’s
only your home then it’s time to check your
pipes and valves. Gold
Coast Plumbing advises you first locate where the valve is and mostly
it’s inside your home. Unless you had handled the valve before maybe
during repairs then proceed. The handle used to open and close the
valve is operated the same way with the hose. Turn it
counterclockwise and make sure it reaches the end. For lever handles
turn it till it is parallel with the pipe. If it’s not fully open the pressure
definitely drops.
Faulty Pressure Regulator
The plumbing system in some homes is not equipped with a pressure
regulator, hence this solution will not be suitable.
If your home has a
regulator then check if it’s faulty and hence not getting
an accurate reading. The hose spigot closely adjacent to the regulator
should have a gauge attached to it. When you turn on the tap, the pressure
on the gauge plus the one on the pressure regulator should be similar.
If the readings don’t match, then the regulator which is supposed to
regulate the pressure from the main line to your pipes is faulty. The
regulator is letting in
low pressure instead of high. Gold Cost Plumbing
would come in handy in replacing the regulator.
Clogging of Pipes
Not only do clogs build up in drainage systems, they also form in the
clean water pipes. The clogs can be big enough to reduce the water
pressure. Though it may seem easy to use chemicals to flush out the
clog, it’s not advisable to mix chemicals in your drinking water. Get a
qualified expert from a reputable plumbing company like Gold Coast
Plumbing to clean up the clog.
Corrosion of Pipes
Do you know how old the piping system is and what the pipes are made of?
Corrosion in steel pipes starts from 20 years, while copper and brass last
for more than 50years. Older houses in most cases have steel pipes while
modern houses have pipes that will last for years before corrosion sets in.
Gold Coast Plumbing advises if your pipes are made of steel and they are
past 20 years, then the whole house should be re-piped.
Remember, it’s not possible to see corrosion from the surface. If you
cannot tell how old your plumbing system is, then it is important to find out
from the city authorities or the previous owners.
Shared Pipes.
Though this is never the best news to hear as a home owner, shared
pipes is common in some areas. What this means is that the water
comes from the main line then it’s distributed or shared between two
homes.
Changing the pipeline would solve the inconvenience of the
inadequate pressure. However, Gold Coast Plumbing advises you do
due diligence when choosing a plumber. Make sure there are no
hidden charges.