Low water pressure can make simple everyday tasks like showering or laundry incredibly tedious. In this guide, Absolute Services will walk you through common culprits behind weak water flow. We’ll start with the easiest things to check and then move on to evaluating supply lines and fixtures.
Check for Clogged Pipes and Filters
Low water pressure is usually the first sign of a clog somewhere in your plumbing. Over time, mineral buildup and sediment can get stuck, especially in pipes, faucet aerators, and supply lines. We will remove those little screens on the ends of your faucets to track down the obstruction. After a good soak and scrub, we can clear out most of the gunk trapped there. Next, we’ll disconnect the pipes under your sinks to check for anything blocking the flow.
We have high-powered drain augers that can push through tough clogs and clear the path if needed. But camera inspections are the way to go for a complete look at your system. We send a flexible camera down your water lines to check for trouble spots. Our specialized camera helps us find sections weakened by corrosion and any debris buildup or partial collapses obstructing the flow. From there, we can target the problem areas and clear them out. With our years of experience, we can have your water flowing freely again.
Examine Supply Lines for Kinks or Damage
Ever notice how garden hoses kink up and won’t let water through? The same thing can happen to the pipes in your home. Supply lines carry water between your main line and sinks, toilets, appliances, etc. If they get kinked or damaged, your water gets squeezed off. We’ll examine your system’s supply piping, from where it enters your home to every last connection. We can reshape the lines to keep the flow steady if we find any awkward bends, crimps, or dents. With copper piping, kinks usually require cutting out the damaged spot and soldering in new connections.
Connections can also loosen up over time, allowing water to leak and pressure to drop. We’ll check where supply lines hook up to faucets and appliances for trickling. We can tighten fittings, replace worn washers, or redo connections if needed. Old galvanized steel pipes are prone to corrosion and mineral buildup inside that blocks flow. We may suggest swapping out damaged or outdated piping. Whatever the issue, our veteran plumbers have the experience to diagnose and treat temperamental supply lines.
Test Water Pressure at Main Shut-off Valve
To get to the bottom of low water pressure, we’ve got to check right at the source: your main shut-off valve. This valve controls flow from the main supply, usually near where the water line enters your home. We’ll turn off the valve first, then open the taps to drain the lines. Once it’s depressurized, we attach a gauge to measure water pressure. This gauge tests the static pressure when everything’s off and the flow pressure when multiple fixtures run.
If your home’s pressure comes back lower than the typical 50-80 PSI, there’s likely an issue with the broader community supply. But normal pressure means there’s a clog somewhere within your plumbing network. Like blood flowing through arteries, reduced pressure means something’s obstructing the water system inside your walls. That’s where our detailed inspection comes in. We’ll scrutinize every supply line, fixture, and joint for trouble. And if needed, we can flush your pipes with hydro-jetting to force out whatever’s choking the flow. Pinpointing plumbing problems takes experience.
Evaluate Plumbing Fixtures for Flow Restrictions
Ever notice how some faucets in your home have way lower pressure than others? Fixtures with flow problems can drag down your whole system. Our plumbers will go through your house fixture by fixture to diagnose issues. We’ll turn on sinks, showers, toilets, appliances – anything connected to your plumbing – and test water volume. Showerheads can get clogged with mineral buildup over time, obstructing flow. Same for faucet aerators and supply lines. Toilets have flappers, valves, and tubes that control water fill, and if they get stuck or corroded, it affects performance.
Poor intake flow can lead to malfunctions for appliances like washers and water heaters. We’ll remove covers and parts to inspect each fixture’s inner workings. Using precision tools and testing equipment, we can pinpoint where calcification, sediment, or mechanical flaws are choking the flow. And we’ll clear out or replace whatever’s not working correctly. No one wants to deal with drizzly showers or toilets that never fill. With a complete fixture evaluation, we can get your whole system pumping at full pressure again.
Consider Replacing Old Galvanized Pipes
If your home’s plumbing has old galvanized steel pipes, they could be choking your water pressure. Over years of use, these types of pipes erode and rust internally. All that built-up gunk inside restricts water flow through the narrowed openings. And as the walls thin from corrosion, they become prone to leaking too. Plus, galvanized pipes usually have threaded joints that loosen and drip over time – again lowering pressure.
If your house has piping that’s decades old, we suggest considering a full repiping. We can replace those outdated steel lines with smooth, leak-free copper or PEX piping. Thanks to trenchless technology, we can feed the new pipes right through your old ones, avoiding major demolition. Our crews are experts at transitioning homes to modern, reliable plumbing material that maximizes water flow. Just a little re-plumbing can restore water pressure hampered by aging pipes for years.
Check Water Meter for Problems
Your home’s water meter is like the speedometer on your car; it measures flow rate and usage. If it’s broken or clogged, pressure suffers. We’ll thoroughly check your meter to ensure it’s not the culprit behind weak water flow. First, we guarantee your meter type and size can adequately supply a home your size, especially during peak use. Damage to a meter’s inner workings can prevent accurate readings, too. We’ll look for bent needles, cloudy dials, or anything that could disrupt its measurements.
Meters also deal with many mineral bits floating through, which can build up and clog things over time. We may gently flush the meter’s inner mechanisms to clear any debris blocking the flow. Using advanced testing tools, we can validate your meter is registering flow rates and usage normally. If it’s inaccurate or undersized, replacement by the water company may be in order. Just like changing a car’s speedometer, a new meter ensures you get full pressure.
Absolute Services Can Help
If you’re experiencing low water pressure in your home, it can be not easy to pinpoint the root cause. However, our team of experienced professionals can help. We have the tools and expertise to diagnose and fix any plumbing issues affecting your water flow. In addition to plumbing services, we also offer heating and cooling, electrical, and garage door services to residents of Central Kentucky. Contact us at Absolute Services to schedule a thorough inspection and get your water flowing freely again.
