Causes of Low Water Pressure

Weak water pressure is a common occurrence in many households, albeit an irritating one. You don’t have to resign yourself to a lifetime of dribbling showers and sluggish faucets, though. The inconvenience of low water pressure can be caused by a variety of factors, most of which are easily corrected by an experienced plumber. These are only a few of the most common causes of low water pressure, and practical solutions that may correct the problem.

If your low water pressure seems to be occurring primarily when you’re showering, you may only need to concentrate on the shower head itself. Over time, shower heads can become caked with mineral deposit buildup that affects the flow of water. A thorough soaking in white vinegar can remove those deposits in many cases. Replacing an aging shower head in favor of a newer one may also be a simple fix for low water pressure in your shower.

Weak water pressure that is pervasive throughout your home can be indicative of other problems, though. First, ensure that the main water valve to your home is in a fully opened position. Often, valves are not opened all the way after being turned off and water pressure throughout the home is less powerful. If the valve is open completely, however, you’ll need to look to professional solutions.

Water pressure boosters and installation of larger main supply pipes can correct your problem with relative ease. You may also have a broken or damaged water supply line.  You will need to contact an experienced and licensed professional plumber in your area to diagnose the problem and perform any necessary water line repairs. A professional plumber will be able to diagnose the cause of low water pressure and to correct it, resolving the problem once and for all.

Posted on behalf of Chuck Seagraves, Seagraves Plumbing

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Wet Spot In The Yard?

A leaking water service line can go unnoticed for weeks or even months, especially in the summer months.  When your family is actively enjoying outdoor recreation activities, that may mean more frequent showers, more loads of laundry, and filling up the swimming pool.  In addition, in the drought conditions that are currently affecting most of the country, you may be using a lot more water for outdoor watering.

All of these things add up to higher water usage which can hide one of the first signs of a water line leak.  For most homeowners, an unusually high water bill is the first indication that they may have a leak in their water service line, but if you are using more water than normal to maintain your lawn, fill your pool, or for showers and laundry, you might not notice the increase in your water usage caused by a water leak.

The next most common indication of a water leak is a wet or soggy spot in the yard that never seems to dry out.  When the rest of the yard is bone dry, this area will be soft or even mushy and the grass will be greener and grow taller in this area.  If you have a mushy, wet area in the yard, you should definitely have it checked out by a good local plumber.

Wet spots in the yard can be a sign that you need water line repairs.  If you have an irrigation sprinkler system, a wet spot can be a sign of a leak or other malfunction in your system.  Wet spots can also indicate a leak in your swimming pool or the pool filter plumbing.  If it is a smelly wet area, you could have a problem with your septic system or sewer line.