No matter how comfortable your home is, bad water pressure can ruin your day. A shower in a trickle of water is extremely frustrating. So is having to wait ages for your kettle to fill or to properly clean your toothbrush. Remember that episode of Seinfeld where the shower pressure in Jerry and Kramer’s is turned down and they are forced to try and pick up some new shower heads off the black market? We all laughed at that because we can relate. Bad water pressure is a sure fire way to ruin your day. The good news is that most water pressure problems can be fixed without too much trouble or expense.
Even if your poor water pressure doesn’t bother you that much, it should lead you to do a quick investigation. It can be nothing major, of course, and it often is a problem in your area that will hopefully be sorted without you lifting a finger. The reality, though, is that sometimes bad water pressure means there is a leak in the pipes – and this can be a major headache. Leaking water not only wastes money, especially with the cost of water going up everywhere these days, but can also damage your possessions and the very foundations of your home.
Leaks can leave you significantly out of pocket. They can be extremely destructive. Claims on leaks that you could have avoided may also not be covered by your insurance (You can click here to learn more about water damage coverage in homeowners insurance). Good insurance does not relieve you of the need to maintain your home and often won’t pay out if the issue comes down to negligence.
What do you do if you find that your water pressure is not as strong as it should be? Take the following 6 steps.
1. Try All The Faucets
Source: justboilers.com
You first need to figure out if the problem is local or exists throughout your home. If your shower is giving you bad water pressure but the water at your sink is strong, chances are that the problem is with the shower itself. The pipes leading to the shower might be clogged, or you might simply need a new shower head.
However, if all the faucets connected to the same water source are giving you pressure problems, you have an underlying issue you need to fix. One thing to keep in mind, though, when getting this sort of problem fixed is to ensure that you properly close your faucets even if it seems like no water is coming out of it. You may have flooding if and when the water pressure returns and you’re not at home.
2. Call The Neighbors
Sometimes, poor water pressure is connected to a systemic problem that your council needs to deal with. There may be a leak in the pipes throughout the suburb, or a malfunctioning water pump. If so, you will not be the only person with water pressure problems (and you won’t be able to fix it yourself). Call your neighbors to find out if they are having issues. If you have a neighborhood text group, send a brief message. One of the great things about social media is that it is perfect for these situations as you can text neighbors, keep up to date through your apartment complex WhatsApp group or head to Twitter to keep in contact with your water supplier.
3. Look For Leaks
Source: cheapplumbersingapore.com
Once you have established that the problem is in your home alone, start looking for leaks. Leaks can create major problems, as we mentioned before. Check throughout the house for leaks. Even if no water is currently running, you should be able to see wet spots on the ground if the pipes are leaking. If you find nothing inside your home, check the sidewalk for any leaking water. You may not be able to do this alone and this is probably where you should call your plumber if the leak is hard to find.
4. Check Your Regulator
Your home may have a water regulator to stop water from coursing through with too much pressure and causing damage. While this is an incredibly important component, it can fall victim to wear and tear, creating problems with the pressure. If the regulator is old and clogged or damaged, replacing it can solve your water pressure problem. It’s not super cheap but if this is your main problem, it can be solved with little time and not too much money.
5. Look For Clogged Faucets
Source: thespruce.com
Even if the water pressure throughout your home seems to be giving you trouble, the problem might be simpler than you think. A number of your faucets may have gotten clogged over time and you didn’t really notice until the final straw broke the camel’s back. Check if your faucets are clogged and simply clear them out. Even if this is not the source of the problem, it is the kind of basic maintenance that gets forgotten. When you do get to the heart of your water pressure problem, your pressure will be all the better for this work.
6. Call a Plumber
Finally, if you cannot find any simple reason for your poor water pressure, call a plumber to come to have a look. A plumber will be able to figure out what is wrong in a fraction of the time it takes you to do so. If it wasn’t for expensive callout fees, calling a plumber would be step number 1. Most problems are not too difficult to fix, and the plumber will be able to give you a rundown of what you need. Make sure to check their reviews to see if other clients found them to be honest in their assessments.
Poor water pressure could be a sign of a bigger problem at hand. These 6 steps should help you solve your problem as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.
