Experiencing a drop in water pressure is a common issue in homes, and there can be many reasons you find yourself asking, “Why is my water pressure low?” The good news is, you can sometimes resolve the cause yourself. For trickier issues, you may need to ask neighbors, your water supplier, or a plumber for help.
Thankfully, you may be able to narrow down what is causing low water pressure in your home with this helpful guide. And if you still can't pinpoint the problem, a trustworthy plumber can help diagnose and fix water pressure issues.
Call a Plumber to Adjust the Pressure-Reducing Valve
You can usually find the main supply line near your water meter. If your home has a pressure-reducing valve, contact a professional plumber to adjust your home's water pressure using this valve.
If multiple people in the homeowner's neighborhood are experiencing problems with their water pressure, this is likely a sign of a problem with the water supplier. In this situation, homeowners should contact their water supplier to find out if the supplier is aware of a problem impacting the homeowner's neighborhood.
Smaller plumbing repairs, which could include addressing low water pressure problems, generally cost between $125 to $350. For larger jobs, when low pressure is due to a more complex plumbing problem, costs could range from $500 to $800.
The cost of fixing low water pressure varies depending on the cause and extent of the issue. Simple fixes like cleaning aerators or adjusting valves typically cost between £50 and £100. More complex repairs, such as replacing pressure regulators or fixing leaks, can range from £100 to £250.
If the water pressure regulator is not adjusted properly, you could have either too much, or too little pressure in your faucet or shower. With the right tools, you will be able to adjust the water pressure regulator by yourself instead of calling in the plumber.
The guaranteed standards scheme (GSS) sets out that water companies shall maintain a minimum pressure of water in the communication pipe serving the premises supplied with water of seven metres static head.
If nothing above helped, it's probably time to call in a licensed plumber and see if you have any blockages or leaks in your pipes. Water pipes don't last forever and that's especially true of some of the older steel pipes that can corrode and leave less space for your water to pass through.
If you're having trouble pinpointing the cause of low water pressure to just one fixture or especially throughout your entire plumbing system, it's time to call a professional plumber.
Call a plumber for help with low water pressure if: You cannot identify the cause of low water pressure. Significant leaks or severe pipe damage are an issue. You need to replace a faulty pressure regulator.
Problems with water system infrastructure, high water demand in your home, and mineral build-up are all common causes of low water pressure. In some cases, low municipal water supply can be at the heart of water flow problems.
A quick and easy way to increase water pressure is to adjust the pressure-reducing valve, which can be found in your home, usually close to your water meter. If your pressure gauge reading was low, make slight adjustments to your regulator.
For a standard PRV replacement, expect to pay around $400 to $800. This includes the new valve, plumber fees, permit charges, and any additional materials or labor.
If you need help testing or adjusting your water pressure, or have any other problems in your household plumbing, contact an expert plumber today.
If you discover that you have low water pressure, call your water supplier or utility, and ask about having someone come out to look at the issue.
Our professional plumbers at S & B Plumbing provide many types of solutions for low water pressure, such as clearing clogs, repairing leaks, replacing corroded pipes, fixture replacement, adjusting pressure regulators, and more. Our plumbers can also give you preventive maintenance tips to prevent issues in the future.
If your pressure is higher or lower, then you'll need to install, repair, or adjust your pressure regulator to comply. Adjusting your regulator is easy, as long as it's working properly. Simply tighten the screw down clockwise to increase pressure and counter-clockwise to decrease pressure.
A pressure regulator controls the water pressure entering your home. If it malfunctions, it can fail to regulate pressure, causing the pressure to rise to dangerous levels and putting stress on your home's plumbing system and appliances.
Normal water pressure range
In general, residential water pressure ranges between 45-80 psi (pounds per square inch). If your water pressure is under 40 psi, it's considered low.
A water pressure regulator, if you have one, is usually located where the main water line comes into the house and after the main shut off valve. This way if you need to work on or change the water pressure regulator you can simply shut off the water main to do so.
A hydrostatic test involves filling a system with a liquid. Once the system is filled with liquid, it's pressurized to test the system's integrity. The next step is observation. A drop in the liquid level is a clear sign the liquid is coming out somewhere, even if no one can see the leak.