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If you turn on your faucets and notice a trickle where you should have a cascade, you know you have a water pressure problem. Luckily, troubleshooting low water pressure is easy to do.

Whole-House Water Pressure Problems

Are you experiencing water pressure problems throughout your house? Assuming it’s a new problem and not one that came with the house, you’re probably looking at one of two issues:

1. A problem with the municipal water supply. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do other than call your water supplier to determine if there’s a problem and ask them to fix it.
2. A leak in your main line. To determine if you have a leak, shut off all your water valves, check the water meter, and then check it again in a few hours. If there’s a significant difference in the readings, you have a leak and should call a plumber.

Specific-Area Water Pressure Problems

Are you troubleshooting low water pressure in a specific area? If it’s just one faucet or shower head that’s having low pressure issues, you may have a simple fix on your hands. Most of the time, low water pressure in one fixture just indicates that you have sediment built up inside the nozzle. Unscrew the fixture and rinse it. (Tip: wrap the fixture in cloth before using a wrench to protect the finish.) If water still doesn’t flow freely, soak the fixture in vinegar, then scrub with an old toothbrush. If all else fails, you can usually find inexpensive replacements at the hardware store. Sometimes, low water pressure in a specific pipe might be caused by corrosion in the pipe. This is normal, especially if you have aging pipes. The only solution is to replace the corroded pipes. This job is often best left to a trained professional who can ensure that the job is done correctly and that your new pipes are up to code. For more information on troubleshooting low water pressure or any other HVAC issues, contact Apollo Home Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We’ve provided quality service to the Greater Cincinnati area since 1910.