We all know that the best way to start the day is with a hot and powerful shower. But what if your shower just isn’t up to scratch?
What if your need to increase the water pressure in your house to start the day in the correct fashion.
Well in this article, we are going to be showing you exactly that. Simple and easy changes that you can make around your property, that will increase the water pressure and turn your trickling shower into that satisfying morning wake up that you need.
Read the tips provided by our experts at Into Heating and Plumbing below for tried and trusted water pressure fixes you can use.
Why Do I Need To Check My Water Pressure?
Ensuring that the water pressure on your property is within an optimal range keeps the perfect equilibrium of both functionality and performance from your plumbed equipment.
Too low and as we have already alluded, you’ll be having to contend with a weak trickle of water for your morning shower. But too high and you run the risk of harming your pipes and appliances through the increased pressure.
That is where testing comes in.
Test Your Water Pressure
Before making any hasty decisions, it is important that you test your water pressure to find out exactly how bad the problem is.
If there is a huge drop off in pressure, you may need to rely on the help of an experienced plumber. Whereas a small drop off in pressure could be fixed with a small DIY action. So testing is the first thing you must make sure that you undertake.
To do this you simply need a small pressure gauge. These are relatively inexpensive and can be picked up on the cheap at places such as Screwfix.
Next you need to follow these simple steps:
Step 1 – Ensure that all water features and fittings are turned off. If any are even slightly on it can skew the reading, giving you a lower pressure reading than you actually have.
Step 2 – Hook up the gauge to your faucet on the outside of your home, tightening the gauge by hand so that it is securely fastened.
Step 3 – Fully open the tap allowing the water to fully come through. You should then refer to the gauge meter to determine the pressure of your water.
Ideally, the water pressure in your home should have a reading between 45 and 55 psi. If it is below 40, you know there is an issue that you need to remedy.
Check To See If It Is Just Your Property
Now before taking action yourself, it is also important to determine whether this problem is isolated to just your household. If you ask neighbours and they are experiencing similar water pressure issues, then you may need to contact your local water company, as this will be an issue that is not located on your property.
The good thing for you is that they are responsible for this, so all you need to do is contact the water company and wait for them to come out and fix the problem!
Flush Your System
With extended use over time, there is a high chance that your pipes have developed mineral deposit build up. This can lead to your pipes becoming more narrow and restricting the water from flowing properly through your pipes. Hence why you would see a low psi reading upon testing the water pressure.
Pouring vinegar down your faucets can help to dissolve this build up and clear some of the blockages and increase the flow of water.
Adjust The Flow
The next step is to check that the pressure-reducing valve on your water main is performing optimally.
If your valve has not been changed in 10-20 years, this could be an indicator of the problem. A simple switcheroo here could increase the water pressure at your home in no time.
Most of these pressure reducing valves are set at 50 psi, from the offset, and can be adjusted up or down through the use of a screw. Ensure that your valve is entirely open and not restricting the movement of water in your system too much.
Occasionally it has been seen that the valve will unintentionally switch off without your knowledge. This is especially susceptible during common DIY repairs and other maintenance work.
Adjusting the water valve is a straightforward job and can often be done without the need of an experienced plumber!
The More Costly Fixes For Low Water Pressure In The House
Now for these fixes and installations, we advise at least consulting an experienced plumber to ensure that you are making the most advisable decision.
Installing a Water Pressure Booster – Booster pumps can be the ideal solution where the mains water pressure supply is on the low end. They are relatively cheap to purchase, but would ideally need a plumber to install. So you will therefore have to factor labour costs into your decision.
These are designed to draw in the water from your mains supply, and then release it at a higher pressure. You must ensure that this booster is not connected directly to the mains water pressure though. This could damage the mains pipework and land you in a bit of legal trouble.
That is why we always recommend consulting a plumber first to mitigate any issues!
Replace Pipework – If the reduction in pressure has been caused by a build-up of minerals in your pipework, and the home unblocking remedies have not worked, you may be left with no other solution.
This is not a DIY job and will come at a cost. A plumber will be able to identify how many pipes will need replacing before quoting you the costs. Often this is a last resort measure, so hopefully your low water pressure can get remedied through the above suggestions!
To Conclude
With these tips, you are now armed with some ways you can increase the low water pressure at your home. Remember to only tackle work you are comfortable with.
Should you feel overwhelmed by any of the work or rather an expert takes a look for you, call Into Plumbing and Heating on 0800 188 4864, for expert plumbing assistance in Essex!
