Ready to have a shower only to find your water pressure somewhat…lacking or having low hot water pressure in the shower? Low water pressure can be caused by a number of factors and there’s definitely nothing worse than having to wash yourself in something amounts to a gentle drizzle. Identifying the cause of the problem is one of the first steps toward tackling weak water pressure so here is our quick guide to get to the bottom of your water pressure woes.
A good first place to start is checking whether all locations in your home have low water pressure. That means checking the kitchen, shower, bathroom sink and any other taps you may have in and around your home. Try checking both the hot and cold water as well, if your water pressure is low only with hot water it’s likely to be a problem with your water heater.
If you only have low water pressure in one location it’s likely the problem is a clogged tap or aerator. Try removing the end of the tap to see if the pressure is better without it. If your pressure is returned to normal simply remove any debris or buildup in the aerator however if this does not fix your problem it’s more likely not a problem with that tap but an overall problem.
If your low pressure is a whole-house problem try checking with your neighbours to see whether they’re experiencing the same issues. If it seems to just be affecting your house you may be able to fix the problem by adjusting the Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) if you have one. The PRV is shaped like a bell and should be located on the line where the water enters your home. Try adjusting it to see if this makes a difference to your water pressure.
Other possible causes of weak pressure could be a buildup of minerals or debris in your pipe, a water leak, or low pressure to the house. If you’re still having problems sometimes the best thing to do is call a professional, and we’ll have your pressure up in no time.
