Low Water Pressure

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Low water pressure in the home isn’t ideal. It can mess up a lot of things: the dishwasher, the clothes washer, a good shower, and a whole lot of other things. But it’s not too hard to figure out the source of low water pressure and get it corrected.

Iron Pipes that are Corroded

Corroded pipes are a common problem, especially in older homes. The accumulated corrosion over time will restrict water flow more and more. Fortunately, there is usually a solution. Corrosion will build up behind restrictions within the pipe. Common areas are the angle valves under sinks, shower or bath valves. To repair them, shut the water off to the home and remove the valves. Using two pipe wrenches, turn the valve with one and use the other pipe wrench to prevent the pipe from turning. Once you get the valves are off, you will see the hard, corroded material inside the pipe. Chip it out with a chisel and hammer. Clean out the pipes the best you can. Reconnect the valves (or better yet install new ones) and run water to flush out any remaining debris.

Showers and bathtubs are more problematic because the valves are usually located inside your wall. If you have an access panel, you’re lucky and have easy access. If you don’t, you will have to cut into the wall, remove the valve, clean out the pipe, then patch and restore the wall. Before you do all of this on a shower, make sure you don’t just have a clogged shower head. Remove the shower head and clean out any deposits that may have accumulated (or better yet, install a new shower head).

Pressure Regulator

Many homes have pressure regulators that control the water pressure to the home. The pressure regulator is a bell-shaped device, usually found near the water main connection to your home. They’re preset by the manufacturer and usually don’t need to be adjusted. However, they can go bad over time and cause your water pressure to decrease. You can adjust the regulator to change the water pressure that is supplied to your home.

Other Issues

If you still can’t find the source of your low water pressure it’s time to contact a professional plumber. Contact us today and we will evaluate your home and determine why your water pressure is so low. All Trades services Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, and most of Clark County, Nevada. We offer fast, same-day service in most cases.

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