It’s a terrible feeling to hop into the shower, turn the water on, and see a slow trickle dribble out of the shower head. It’s even worse when you try to rinse the soap from your body or shampoo from your hair and have to scrub vigorously to get it all out. Drain technicians refer to this phenomenon as low flow; homeowners might call it low water pressure or a major inconvenience. There are several ways to fix this problem. While most require the aid of a technician, all of them will guarantee an invigorating shower and a strong torrent of water from every faucet.
If you notice low pressure from only one faucet or shower, the problem is most likely mineral buildup in the aerator– that little screen covering the end of the faucet. It’s easy to remove. Once you’ve unscrewed it, check to see if the water pressure improves. If it does, all you need to do is give the aerator a thorough cleaning and put it back on. If the pressure is still low, the problem is farther down the pipes.
If the problem lies with multiple faucets, there may be mineral buildup in the pipes that restricts the flow of water. Over time, those deposits can collect to the point that only a trickle of water can flow through the pipes. This is where a professional Drain King technicians can help you. If it’s just mineral buildup, the pipes can be water-jetted and easily cleared. If the pipes are rusty or have rusted through in spots, they will likely have to be replaced. This is especially true in older homes. If the flow problem is not caused by buildup of pipe gunk, there may be a leak or an obstruction farther down the line that is preventing maximum water flow. This is also a job for a licensed plumber.
Some pressure issues can cause low water flow indoors. The city may be delivering water at a pressure lower than 40 psi or, if you’ve recently done some plumbing repairs, the shutoff valves may not have been fully reopened. Both of these situations can be tested by checking the water pressure with a pressure gauge, sold at most hardware stores. Reopening a shutoff valve is easy; convincing the city to boost water pressure is not. You may need to install a pressure booster inside your house, but this can require city permits and inspections, so it’s best left to a professional plumber.
Another common pressure issue lies with the pressure regulator. When a pressure regulator fails, it can either send huge amounts of water indoors or decrease the flow to practically nothing. Luckily, it is easy for a plumber to replace, and in no time, you’ll be back to the perfect water pressure and rate of flow that makes for the happiest (and cleanest!) of showers.
