Whether it has slowly built up over time or suddenly happens, low hot water pressure in houses is a sign that something is not quite right with the plumbing system. Some pressure issues can be easily resolved without the need of a plumber, while a sudden drop in water pressure might require immediate assistance.
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What Causes Low Water Pressure in Houses?
If you don’t see water gushing from a broken pipe, you likely don’t have a plumbing emergency. So, you may be wondering why your home is affected by low hot water pressure issues. Start by ruling out these common causes for low water pressure before calling your plumber:
Water Supply is Turned Off
If you notice low hot water pressure in your whole house, this is a sign the water meter valve on your property is partially closed. However, a special key is usually required to unlock the residential water meter connected to your house. It may be possible that someone turned the water meter valve to the off position or turned it to a very low position. Turning the valve to its full open position should resolve the low water pressure problem.
Deteriorating Water Filtration System Tank
Another cause of low hot water pressure in houses are aging water filtration systems. As water conditioners age (after 5 years), the resin media inside the tank begins to deteriorate and restrict the flow of water.
Leaving a Faucet or Sprinkler On
The low hot water pressure in the house may be caused by a faucet or shower that has been accidentally left on. It’s easy to get distracted and forget that a lawn sprinkler has been left on or that you have been filling up a pool for your kids. Check to see if someone has left a faucet on outside and if so, turn it off to increase the water pressure in the house.
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Limescale on Shower Heads & Kitchen Sinks
The most common cause of low hot water pressure in houses is limescale buildup on plumbing fixtures such as kitchen sinks, bathroom faucets, and shower heads. This buildup of limescale may be causing a clog in the aerator. You can resolve the problem by taking off the nozzle to access its aerator or removing the shower head. Soak the clogged part in water and vinegar.
Main Water Shutoff Valve Is Partially Closed
Do you have low hot water pressure in your home? We recommend calling a couple of your closest neighbors to confirm if they have a similar issue. If you discover that you’re the only individual in your area with low water pressure, it’s time to conduct an inspection of your plumbing system. The low water pressure may be caused by a partially closed main water shutoff valve in your house.
The main shutoff valve may be located near the main water supply line provided by your neighborhood and municipality. On the other hand, this valve may also be located outside near the side of your house. If your main water shut off valve includes a circular handle, adjust it to the left as far as possible.
Alternatively, a shutoff valve that includes a straight handle should be adjusted to be parallel to the main water line. After adjusting the handle on the main water shutoff valve, walk to your sink to confirm whether or not the water pressure is improved. If you still have low hot water pressure, give our team of emergency plumbers in Orange Park, FL a call by phone at 904-217-5694 to receive assistance.
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Water Main Issues
Check with your neighbors and see if they are experiencing low hot water pressure. If you see workers from the water company working nearby, the low hot water pressure may be caused by a water main break that they’re repairing.
Pressure Regulator is Malfunctioning
A pressure regulator is engineered to detect and modify the water pressure from a main water supply line. If the water pressure from your local city or suburb is too high, this component will decrease the pressure to prevent damage to the water pipes in your house.
The low hot water pressure in your home may be caused by a malfunctioning pressure regulator that is unable to accurately analyze and modify the pressure of incoming water from the water supply line. To confirm this is the issue, we recommend attaching a pressure gauge to an outdoor spigot in your yard to confirm the PSI rating of your water. Once you determine you have an ineffective pressure regulator, contact a technician on our team. We will remove the broken regulator component with a new model.
Blockages in Water Lines
An ordinary cause of low hot water pressure in homes is a blockage in the water lines behind your walls or under your house. If you believe you have a clogged water line, immediately contact a professional technician from Fenwick Home Services.
While it may be easy to take pipes apart to eliminate a blockage, they are not easy to assemble. Please do not use harsh chemicals to eliminate obstructions in the pipes that supply your drinking water. This may lead to severe physical health issues from water poisoning.
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Plumbing Pipes Are Deteriorating
While it may be true that water and sewer lines are designed to be durable and long lasting, they have a limited lifespan. Low hot water pressure issues may be an indicator of corroded galvanized steel pipes behind your walls. Galvanized pipes feature a lifespan of around 40 to 50 years. Inadequate water pressure may also indicate corrosion issues with brass or copper pipes in the home.
Copper pipes include a lifespan of 50 years while brass pipes feature a maximum lifespan of 70 years. Once the corrosion in your pipes reaches a severe level, it will affect the hot water pressure in your home. To receive assistance with a water line replacement project, give our team a call at 904-217-5694 or book an appointment online.
When to Call a Plumber
If you cannot rule out the cause of your low hot water pressure in your house, you will need a plumber. Depending on the severity of a water leak, you might need emergency service. Below are various causes of low water pressure that will require assistance from a professional.
Clogged Water Lines
If you can’t find an obvious cause of the low hot water pressure issue in your house, it could be that mineral deposits have built up and are clogging different areas of your water lines. This is very common in older homes that have galvanized piping or in copper systems where the copper is connected to a dissimilar metal. To increase the water pressure in your house, you will need to contact a local plumber in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL to clean or replace lines (often called “repiping”) to prevent damage.
Break in Main Water Line
If you see standing water, mud or signs of ground saturation near the location of your main water line outdoors, you might have a leak. Contact your local water authority to to confirm of a water main leak is the source of your low hot water pressure issue.
Broken Water Line In Your Home
Look around your home for signs of mold or water damage in areas where your water lines run through. Rule out any running water by making sure all faucets are turned off and then check to see if your water meter is spinning. If the meter is moving, a broken water pipe may be causing low hot water pressure in the home. Prevent additional damage by shutting off your main valve and call your plumber.
Trustworthy Water Line Installation & Plumbing Services
If you need assistance resolving a low water pressure issue, give our team a call by phone at (904) 513-9483 or schedule an appointment online. We offer plumbing services to Jacksonville and other locations in Florida such as water softener repair, sump pump installation, and water heater maintenance.
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