subject: Plumbing; Troubleshoot the Low Water Pressure [print this page] Plumbing; Troubleshoot the Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure can create all types of petite tasks, from taking a shower to washing the dishes. Insufficient pressure on the faucet might consequence to the clogs and rust in pipes and in-line devices, or from low water volume or delivery pressure. Simply after figure out the reason, can you and your plumber evaluate the solutions?
When the matter of low water pressure occurs, there are loads of different areas of concern.
What type of material is your piping made of, galvanized piping, used in older homes, will get a buildup of sediment inside of itself over time, copper piping is much better than galvanized as long as the pipes do not come in contact with other metals which can cause electrolysis, a process that can clog the area of where you see corrosion happening.
Are there other signs of corrosion at certain points in your plumbing.
Are previous repairs causing any problems
Check all valve stops, on all your supply lines, at each faucet (hot and cold) under the sink.
When dealing with water heater there are firm things you need pay attention to.
How old is the water heater (15 years is getting old) but, does not mean it is terrible.
Has maintenance been done on the unit (most people do not do this)
Are the flexible supply lines on the unit kinked
Now back to the trouble at hand; after removing the supply lines we found a buildup of sediment at the top of the water heater and this turned into being an impasse. Generally, the first thinking would be that the water heater needs replacing. Nevertheless, with some creative thinking, we would able to clear the clog and get the water flowing again.
So, let's recap. When you notice low water pressure, remove and clean out the aerators on the faucet. If that does not work, check the supply lines and valve stops for corrosion or blockage. Check all other piping at the water heater. This may expose more than you were looking for but, at least now you'll know what you are up against. Worst case scenario would be to replace the water heater itself. Good luck with all your repairs around the home in San Jose.
