Many home and business owners don’t give a second thought about water pressure. The fact is, low pressure usually creeps up on you over time without notice. However, you rely on good water pressure if you’re a business owner such as a restaurant owner. Good pressure in the home is part of a good quality of life. No one wants to take a hot shower with water dribbling out of the shower head. The same holds true for your faucets, outdoor spigots, and bathtub faucets. While low water pressure is a problem, high pressure can also wreak havoc on your plumbing system.
Low Water Pressure For Sinks And Showers
Suppose the low water pressure you’re experiencing is isolated to one sink or shower. That’s the best possible scenario because the problem is unique to hard water mineral deposits built up in your shower head. Based on the value and age of your faucets or showerhead, you may want to either clean or replace them. If it’s a kitchen or bathroom faucet, it may be as easy as changing the aerator on your faucet head. You can purchase an aerator at your local home improvement store for less than five bucks.
Get In The Comfort Zone By Replacing Your Showerhead
Cleaning or replacing the shower head might get you back in your comfort zone when taking a hot shower. Soaking your shower head in a mix of baking soda and vinegar in a plastic bag overnight will loosen the mineral deposits, and along with some light scraping, you’ll be back in business. If others use the same shower, they’ll also love you for it. If it’s time for a new showerhead, consider a high-quality, low-flow showerhead. You can purchase one for less than 30 dollars.
Low Flow Shower Heads Are The Best Replacement
They usually use 2 – 2.5 gallons of water per minute (GPM). A low-flow shower head was not desired when shower heads and toilets were regulated in the early years (the mid-90s). However, the new science that’s gone into the new heads has become a difference-maker. Old shower heads made before the 1990s produced 3.5 GPM. The new low-flow heads would save a gallon a minute. So a ten-minute shower would save ten gallons of water. Suppose you have a family of four that showers daily – that’s forty gallons a day. Extend that number for one year, and it doesn’t take long to learn how much water we can save by switching out our shower heads.
If you want to take it a step further, California has over forty million people. I’ll let you do the math on that one. The bottom line is, we need to all work together regarding water in California. How did I ever take off on the water tangent?
Contact Your Municipal Water Company For Answers To Your Low Water Pressure
Here is another easy fix for low water pressure. If your low pressure was overnight, ask your neighbors about their water pressure. If their water pressure is low, then the chances are there is construction in your neighborhood. You can also contact your municipal water company for answers. They will even come to the area to check the pressure if they don’t already know the problem.
Simple √ Checks Can Get Your Water Pressure Back On Track
Some simple checks could reveal the culprit behind your low water pressure; for example, if your water meter is turned toward the “off” position ever so slightly, it could cause low pressure. In most cases, this will happen after a city worker was doing work in the area and needed to access the meter. It’s rare, but it does happen. In addition, there is another shut-off valve to your home, usually located in the garage or close to your water heater. In most instances, it’s a ball valve with a handle, and the handle gets slightly turned. This is common, especially when kids discover the handle. Sometimes, the handle gets bumped, turning it slightly off and causing restricted water flow.
Check For A Broken PRV Valve
The most common reason you have high or low water pressure is your pressure-reducing valve. The valve controls water pressure throughout your home. Additionally, you can check the pressure-reducing valve (PRV) in your home. The bell-shaped valve is responsible for regulating the water pressure in your home. Your pressure-reducing valve can cut down on water waste and protect our appliances and plumbing system from high water pressure. It will automatically lower the incoming water pressure from the municipal water supply line. The PRV valve may save 30,000 to 40,000 gallons of water in a typical house annually. Water fixtures use less water and are less likely to leak when there is less pressure.
Constricted Pipes In California Are Common
When addressing your water pressure, there are two ways to get to the bottom of the problem. First, did your low water pressure happen overnight, or did it happen over time? If the low pressure crept up on you over time, you should have your pipes inspected. The chances are hard water mineral deposits have developed in your pipes. California is notorious for hard water; those minerals can build up in your pipes and go unnoticed until the light goes on. Sometimes it may be an outside that brought the low pressure to your attention.
High Water Pressure Is Not A Luxury, So Get It Under Control
The high water pressure would seem like a luxury for so many homeowners. However, don’t be fooled. High pressure will put significant stress on your plumbing system and your appliances. As mentioned, it will also contribute to water waste. Water leaks are common in homes that have high pressure. Here is the problem unlike low-pressure, high-pressure feels good when bathing, washing dishes, and other noticeable areas around the house. If your home has high pressure, take action. In most cases, the PRV valve needs to get replaced or adjusted.
Water Pressure In Your Home Is Easy To Test For
Testing the pressure for the whole house is a relatively easy task. A homeowner can purchase a pressure gauge at your local hardware store or online for less than 10 dollars. The gauge fastens to the outdoor spigot. The gauge should read between 45 to 55 pounds per inch (PSI) for optimal pressure. However, that number may vary slightly among plumbing experts. The pressure should never exceed 80 PSI because it stresses pipes and appliances. Arming yourself with the facts will save you significantly. In some situations, you may want to make minor fixes yourself.
Get The Service You Would Expect From A Top-Rated Plumbing Company
When you need a plumbing company that provides a full range of plumbing services, call the professionals at Big B’s Plumbing. We’re an A+ rated plumbing company with the Better Business Bureau with over a thousand five-star reviews. We serve Murrieta, Temecula, and the greater Inland Empire. Call us today, and you’ll always get the value and service you would expect from a top-rated plumbing company.
