Why is My Water Pressure Low?

Having low water pressure in your home can be a very frustrating experience. Whether you are trying to take a shower or water the lawn, low water pressure is a common issue for many homeowners.  There are several problems that can occur which may cause your water pressure to drop. You will likely need to call a professional in order to increase water pressure in the home and get it back to where it should be. Here are a few reasons why you may be dealing with low water pressure in your home, and what you can do to fix the problem.

Buildup of Debris in Pipes

Many different things can start to build up and cause your pipes to clog. There could be a clog from grease, dirt, hair, or whatever else that may be trapped in your pipes.

There could be a break or hole somewhere that is allowing dirt or other things to get in and cause the pipes to become blocked. Give Summit Drain a call if you are experiencing any of these issues.

Corrosion

Pipes can become corroded and rust can start to build up and get thick with this issue. It will also begin to restrict the flow of water.

Oxidation will eventually eat through the pipes, making holes and the water will stop flowing altogether.

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Issue with Water Shutoff Valve

If your shutoff valve isn’t working correctly, this is what causes low water pressure in the whole house.

The shutoff valve is responsible for controlling the flow of water. If it isn’t opening properly or only partially opening, this will cause low water pressure.

Issue with Water Meter Valve

Your water meter value also controls the flow of water. It may have been closed or partially closed due to work on your plumbing.

The water meter value is what measures your water, so when water passes through it, the meter reads the amount of water and the flow of the water.

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Faulty Pressure Regulator

The water pressure regulator is there to keep the water pressure at a constant rate. If it is faulty, then the water pressure may drop.

If this is what you think is the issue, then call us to repair it or replace it.

Plumbing Leak

Leaks are a common fault for failing home water pressure. If water is leaking out then you won’t be getting the proper amount of water.

It can be difficult to tell if you have a leak, so call us to check your pipes for you.

Issues with Water Supplier

With any luck, the problem isn’t with your water system but with your water supplier. That can only be fixed through the actual supplier.

Check outside and see if there is work going on nearby or ask a neighbour if they are experiencing water pressure issues as well.

Contact Us 

It can be difficult to troubleshoot issues with your home’s water pressure. That’s where we come in. At Summit Drain and Plumbing, we can inspect your pipes and find the problem for you. We offer emergency plumbing and drain services, and our technicians are all licensed and insured. Call us today for all your plumbing needs.

FAQ

A main sewer line blockage can cause water to backup in random places. For instance, you run your washing machine and notice your sink overflowing – this can be a clear sign that you have a clogged drain line.

If you have ruled out a potential sewer drain clog, you can rinse your sewer drain by flushing it with water. When you flush your lines, try adding a bit of drain cleaner to the water. A great place to flush your sewer line is the toilet – a larger amount of water and drain cleaner can enter your system quickly and easily. Unfortunately, if you do this when you have a clog, it can cause backup and potential flooding – if this is the case, clear the clog first.

You should generally know if your sewer line is blocked with slow drainage. The purpose of the sewer line is to take all the water drainage away from your house via sinks, bathtubs or toilets – if you find that there is slower drainage in one drain then you can essentially clear that yourself using a drain snake or a plunger.

There is confusion regarding when you are responsible for sewer line repair. While some may believe that the homeowner is only responsible for repairing the part of the line that’s on their property, this is not the case. Sewer lines consist of multiple sections, the upper lateral, lower lateral and the main line. The city is only responsible for repairing the main sewer line.

If issues with the main sewer line cause damage to your lower lateral, which is most likely where the damage would generally first start – the city would repair this damage when they work on the main sewer line. Unfortunately, if there is backup and flooding on your property from the main sewer line, then the city would not be responsible. It is best to follow up with the city to see if they will repair any damage in these cases.

Unpleasant smells coming from your drains is indicative of sewer line issues and damage. You should always take these types of smells seriously as it could be toxic fumes slowly releasing from the sewer below into your home.

There are a number of ways to clear a slow drain using products found around the home:

Bent Wire – If you do not have a drain snake, you can try using a stiff wire – like one from a clothes hanger, leaving the hook to enter pipes and pull out any clogs. Try to make sure you don’t push debris further into the pipe.

Homemade Flush – Mixing baking soda and vinegar can dissolve any materials that are potentially clogging your drain pipes. This is a good and much safer alternative to store-bought chemical cleaners.

Toilet Plunger – Like plunging a toilet, you can try using this on your drains. Using a plunger on your drains can help get things moving by using suction. This should be enough to fix any mild blockages.

Aged drain pipes are at risk for corrosion which can lead to breaks. Summit Drain has both the technology and expertise to fix this if necessary.

Yes. Drain pipes are durable, but not meant to last forever. If you live in an older home in Ottawa, most likely the pipes are made from copper and can collapse in this day and age.

When it comes to a collapsed drain, call Summit Drain. We use trenchless technology to replace sewer pipes made from original materials without ruining your property.

Rock salt
Rock salt helps by removing moisture from the roots, which in turn kills them. Two lbs should do the trick, pour 1 down the toilet. Flush until gone. And repeat with the next. Then leave for 12 hours and don’t run any water.


Foaming root killers
Another effective way to treat roots in pipes is with foaming root killers. Pour powder into toilet and flush. It will foam upon contact with water. Not only does it help dissolve current roots, but also helps to protect against future ones.


Copper sulfate
Copper sulfate is another good option. Available at most hardware stores, pour roughly half a cup into toilet and flush until gone. Leave the home and take all pets and family members along. This is a toxic substance and banned in some places.


Should I replace old pipes?
There does come a time where it makes sense to replace your pipes. Over time they crack and corrode. It is recommended to begin routine inspections once your home reaches 50 years in age. For plumbing Services in and around the Ottawa area, nobody does it like Summit Drain.

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