Low water pressure is more than just an inconvenience – it can cause problems for your household. Getting to the root of the problem as quickly as possible is important so you can restore proper water pressure in your Brisbane home.
We’ll go through some common causes of low water pressure so you can start troubleshooting and get to the bottom of the problem as soon as possible.
How Home Water Pressure Works
Your home’s water is pressurized so it can move through your plumbing system. Water pressure will likely range between 45 to 80 psi, depending on factors like distance from the water supply and demand.
Water pressure that falls below 40 psi is considered low – and under 30 psi will start to cause noticeable issues in your home. Without enough pressure, it becomes difficult to perform tasks like showering, washing dishes, or even flushing the toilet.
Causes of Low Water Pressure
Here are the most common causes of household low water pressure:
High water demand
Running multiple plumbing fixtures or appliances simultaneously divides output and can lower water pressure.
How to fix it: Stagger use of fixtures and appliances throughout the day
Closed water meter valve
Water enters your home through the main shutoff valve and then flows through fixtures & appliances. Each has their own individual shut-off valves as well.
How to fix it: Check the status of your main shutoff and isolation valves to ensure they are fully open.
Fixture issues
Over years, problems can arise with your plumbing fixtures that can restrict water flow. This might make it feel like low water pressure. Mineral deposits are a common cause and can block the flow of water.
How to fix it: Clean out the sediment inside the shower head/shower head filter or replace it completely. Clean the aerators from the sinks or replace them.
Malfunctioning pressure regulator
Most home plumbing systems have something called a pressure regulator. It keeps water pressure in your home stabilised. A broken or malfunctioning pressure regulator can result in water pressure that is too low or too high.
How to fix it: Tighten the screw at the tip of the pressure regulator and see if the issue resolves. If it doesn’t, you need to call a plumber.
Clogged pipes
If your water pressure is intermittently low, blocked plumbing lines could be the reason. Pipes can build up with mineral deposits that restrict water flow. Other clogs with debris can be the issue too.
How to fix it: A professional plumber will need to assess the pipes to determine if water jetting is an option. In more severe cases, pipe relining or replacement may be necessary.
Water leaks
Water leaks near appliances or in the pipes can cause water pressure to drop. For big leaks, shut off your water main.
How to fix it: Small visible leaks might be easy enough to fix yourself, but diagnosing a more serious leak should be done by a residential plumber.
Issues with tempering valve
Tempering valves regulate the temperature of your home’s water. It mixes hot and cold water to ensure the right temperature comes out of the fixture. Problems with this valve can lead to water pressure issues.
How to fix it: Call a plumber to properly replace the tempering valve.
Still Having Water Pressure Issues?
If you’ve troubleshooted without any luck, S&J Plumbing and Gasfitting is here to help. We offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services all over Brisbane for both home and business owners. We’ll quickly diagnose the issue and get it resolved quickly – so you can have minimal disruption to your week.