What do I do if my home has low water pressure?

Water pressure is a measure of the strength with which your water comes out of your pipes. It is distinct from water flow, which is a measure of how much water comes out of a pipe over time. For example, a hose and a showerhead may have the same water flow, but the water coming out of the showerhead will be at higher pressure because it is being forced through small holes.

If water comes out of your faucets without much force, your home may have low water pressure. Low water pressure can be caused by a variety of circumstances. If you are experiencing low water pressure at home, consider the following:

• How long have you had low pressure? If it just started, it may be because of a temporary situation (such as a water main repair) that will resolve itself when the water system returns to normal. If it is a long-term problem or happens frequently, the cause may be something closer to your home.
• Is your water pressure low or is it just lower than water pressure in other homes in your area? Sometimes, homes can have different water pressures because of their locations. For example, a home on flat land may have higher pressure than a home on a hill. So long as the water pressure in the home on the hill is sufficient for daily activities, this is not an indication of a problem, even though another home may have higher pressure.
• Are other homes in your area experiencing the same issue? Low pressure in multiple homes along the same water main may indicate a problem with the system that needs to be resolved.
• Is your house valve turned all the way on? Correcting the situation may be as simple as opening your water valve all the way.
• Do you have low pressure in your whole home or just in certain areas? Localized low pressure may be caused by competing demands for water, such as a sink that experiences low pressure when a nearby shower is running. Or higher-use activities, such as watering a yard, for example, could cause low pressure in other areas of the property.
• Is the low pressure only in one sink or showerhead? This may be because its filter has become clogged, and a simple cleaning may correct the problem.
• Do you have galvanized or copper plumbing? Galvanized plumbing can develop clogs that restrict the flow of water.

If you have low pressure throughout your home and are not able to resolve it with the above tips, please contact us. It may be time to review the size of your water meter or investigate other possible issues with your water service.