Why Is My Water Pressure So Low?

Water pressure is important for cleaning and bathing. When the water pressure seems off, nothing gets very clean because you can’t rinse off the soaps and detergents very well. There are some easy fixes for low water pressure that you can do yourself before you call a pro.

Your Pipes Are Blocked

Anything trapped in the pipes can cause low water pressure. This could include pieces of the insides of the pipes that have worn away and become jammed, or objects that made it past filtration at a water treatment plant. If the water pressure is low in just one faucet or showerhead in the house, the pipe that is blocked is connected to this exit. Flushing or suction after removing the pipes can fix this.

The Valve Is Turned Off

There are valves in your basement or crawlspace that turn the water on for parts or all of your home. The main water valve is responsible for cutting water to your home completely. Find the valves and then turn a valve one way. Check the water pressure. If the water pressure remains unchanged, turn that valve back and check another valve in the same fashion. Continue this process until you find the valve that is the culprit or find that none of the valves are at fault for the low pressure.

The City Is Doing Sewer Work

You should have received notice from your local municipal works department if they are doing some sewer work in the area. If you didn’t receive a message, and the low water pressure is throughout the entire house, call the city. Ask them if sewer maintenance or repairs were scheduled for your area. If they were, then you know that that’s the problem. If they weren’t, the city can open a help ticket to have workers check the sewers near you. Generally, the city will call you back either way to let you know what is happening.