Plumbing

Low Water Pressure First Aid

Is the water pressure in your home diminishing? Are you getting just a dribble from the showerhead? Usually simple little fixes. In the case of a dribbling showerhead, it most likely has a build-up of calcium. This can be fixed by removing the showerhead and submersing in a decalcifying solution for a few hours, to clear the water jets.

Another cause may be clogged or calcified inline filters, --- usually small disk like metal screens found on the end (outlet) of faucets. Carefully removing these and either replacing or cleaning will solve this problem.

If low water pressure is a whole house kind of thing, it could be the result of a malfunctioning backflow preventer (a valve that prevents water from re-entering your home's water system). Consult a professional for service and maintenance as local safety codes may apply.

If you've installed an inline filter system to filter pollutant particles from the water, then the cause of the low water pressure usually lies here: inspect the filter through the clear filter bowl. A discoloured yellowish or brown filter will indicate that replacement will be necessary.