Why Has My Water Pressure Dropped?
A drop in the water pressure in your home can be irritating if it means it takes much longer to fill the kettle, do the dishes or run a bath. Probably most frustrating of all, however, is when you want to take a shower or wash your hair.
But a drop in water pressure isn’t just a source of irritation and frustration – it could also mean that there’s a significant problem in your water supply that needs investigating, because it could eventually lead to a complete loss of water or even damage to your property.
In this article, we’re going to investigate some common causes of a drop in water pressure, suggest fixes where possible and explain how the experts at A&D Plumbing can help when it’s something more serious.
Four Common Causes of Low Water Pressure
Leaking pipes
Probably the main reason that water pressure drops is because there’s a leak in the system somewhere. Some of the pipes that serve the appliances needing water in your home are clearly visible, but there are many more running under floorboards and in other hidden areas that mean it might not be easy to identify exactly where the problem lies.
It’s not something you want to leave for too long, though, because that dripping could cause significant damage if it’s not dealt with quickly.
If you can find signs of where the leak is yourself – it will often be where there’s a junction and the seal has come loose – it might be a simple job to just tighten the seal and stop the leak. Otherwise, an experienced plumber is likely to be able to find the source of the leak and get it fixed before too much damage is caused.
Pressure regulator valve
The pressure regulator valve – as the name strongly implies – is there to regulate the pressure of the water in your property. It follows, then, that this might be the source of the problem if you experience a sudden drop in your water pressure. Problems that might arise with the pressure regulator valve could include a buildup of minerals or the internal components getting damaged. To get this issue sorted, you’ll need the help of a trained and experienced plumber, such as the team at A&D Plumbing.
Problems with supply
Not all water pressure issues are a result of a fault within the system at your property – sometimes, there might be a problem with the supply from your water company. It might be worth checking their social media platforms to see if they are reporting any issues in your area.
Shut-off valve or stopcock
Before any work involving the water system in any building can be carried out, you usually need to make sure that the water supply has been fully turned off. This is done using the stopcock inside the property and/or the shut-off valve that is usually located outside on the main supply pipe entering the building. It may be that one of these is not fully open, meaning that you’re not getting full pressure to your plumbing system.
If you have an issue with the water pressure at your property and you can’t identify why it’s happening – or if you know what the problem is but don’t feel able to fix it yourself – the plumbers at A&D Plumbing are your local experts for Colchester and the surrounding areas of Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
Just get in touch and we’ll get someone out to investigate, and soon you’ll be able to enjoy a proper shower in the morning once more!