Plumber Tips: Problems With Low And High Water Pressure And How To Remedy Them | Helotes, TX
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A good plumbing system is important as it helps you get your tasks done on time. Imagine when you’re in a hurry to get to the office but the low water pressure is preventing you from finishing your shower in just a few minutes. Low water pressure can be very stressful and high water pressure is the same. Both can indicate that there might be an issue with your plumbing system. We highly recommend that you contact a plumber in Helotes, TX, today to help you alleviate the problem.
Common Causes of Low Water Pressure
Below are some of the most common reasons why there is low water pressure in your home. Contact us immediately so we can help you fix the problem.
Sediment Buildup
One of the causes of low water pressure is the buildup of minerals at the bottom of your water heater tank. This doesn’t only affect the efficiency of your water heater and your water bills, it can also lead to low water pressure. As a homeowner, please make sure that you flush out this buildup at least once a year or twice, especially when there is a high concentration of hard water in your plumbing.
Remember, your water heater tank could leak if you fail to flush out the sediment buildup. To avoid flooding and pay for the costs associated with water damage, learn how to properly maintain your water heater. Better yet, have it professionally maintained too.
Faulty Water Pressure Regulator
If you have been using a water pressure regulator for years, it’s likely that you need a replacement. Contact a plumber in Helotes, TX, to help you inspect your regulator. He can tell you whether it’s time to get a new one or another plumbing issue is causing the low water pressure.
Water Softener
If you have a water softener or planning to install one, please contact a plumber for installation. Improper installation of your appliance can also lead to issues with your water pressure. Also, please make sure that it’s properly maintained to avoid other issues down the road.
Leaks in Your Plumbing
If you suddenly got higher water bills and you have low water pressure, there might be a leak in your plumbing. Some leaks are visible while others are hidden — so when you can’t find them, watch out for other signs of leaks such as a discolored wall or water spots in the ceiling or walls. You can also do a water meter test to help you determine if there might be a leak in your plumbing.
To do a water meter test, take note of the meter’s reading and turn off your faucet and shower. Make sure that no one else uses water in your home. Next, recheck the water meter and take note of the new reading. If it’s different, then there is a leak in your plumbing. Contact a professional for professional leak detection. Leaks must be addressed right away as it leads to low water pressure.
If you can’t determine what’s causing the low water pressure, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional for a thorough inspection of your plumbing system. Our plumbers at bluefrog Plumbing are licensed and highly experienced with plumbing problems. We can help you diagnose the problem and resolve it for you.
In addition, don’t forget to also check your shut-off valves. They have to be open all the way and the handle should not be parallel to the pipe. Otherwise, that could lead to problems with your water pressure. To resolve this, simply twist the shut-off valve all the way. If it doesn’t fix the issue, please contact a professional in your area for assistance.
If the water pressure is just in one shower or faucet, the problem could be the aerator. The screen in the faucet gets clogged over time especially when it’s not regularly clean. Consider unscrewing it, cleaning, and then reattaching it to the faucet. If you don’t know how to do this, please contact a professional in Helotes, TX today for assistance.
Should I call a professional right away when we have low water pressure?
If you’re not very experienced with plumbing, then yes, we recommend that you get in touch with one of our plumbers. Our team can help you find out the root cause of the problem, explain why you’re having this issue, and then provide you with cost-effective plumbing solutions.
What do I do when I don’t want to reach out to a professional right away?
We highly suggest that you call a professional so they can check your plumbing pipes. One of the most common reasons is the sediment buildup in the pipes. You can correct with this a plumbing inspection, a proper diagnosis by a plumber, and a plumbing solution that won’t damage your home.
A plumbing professional may also advise you to install a constant pressure system in your home to prevent drops in the water pressure especially when multiple household members use the faucet or the shower. If you want to know more about this, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at your earliest convenience.
The Dangers of High Water Pressure
Having your water pressure at normal levels is always a good idea. Low water pressure could indicate a serious plumbing problem while high water pressure can lead to costly plumbing emergencies. Contact a plumbing company if you have either of the two so that he can help you resolve the problem.
Signs of High Water Pressure
When you see these signs, please ensure that you contact a plumber in Helotes, TX, immediately for a proper inspection of your system:
Noisy pipes – You might already be aware that high water pressure can cause banging or knocking sounds in the pipes. When your pipes are suddenly noisy, there is likely an issue with the water pressure in your plumbing. Please make sure that you contact us at the soonest possible time so we can investigate the problem and come up with the best solution.
Running toilets – Please be careful with running toilets as they can suddenly skyrocket your water bills. They can also cause high water pressure in some cases. This has to be addressed immediately to avoid expensive plumbing problems down the road.
Higher water bills – When you get skyrocketing water bills, that means that your water usage has gone up. If you’re certain that you haven’t been consuming excessive water, it could be an issue with the water pressure. We suggest that you contact a professional in Helotes, TX, immediately for a thorough inspection of your plumbing.
Leaky taps – High water pressure can strain the pipes and may cause your faucet to suddenly leak. Fix this immediately to avoid wasting hundreds of gallons of water and repair cost associated with water damage.
How High Water Pressure Can Damage Your Plumbing
When there is high water pressure, you can waste up to 26 gallons of water every 10 minutes in the shower. Also, it can severely strain the pipes and reduce the lifespan of your plumbing appliances like the water heater or the dishwasher. Your water pressure must not be below 45 PSI or higher than 55 PSI. Contact a plumber if you have an issue with the water pressure so we can help you correct it.
Help! Our Plumbing Pipes Burst Due to High Water Pressure
One of the reasons for a pipe bursting is high water pressure. And this is a plumbing emergency. But the first thing you need to do is not call a plumber right away but to turn off the main water supply to prevent further damage to your home. You can also consider installing several shut-off valves in your home. Contact a professional today, for the installation.
After turning off the shut-off valve, the next thing you need to do is drain your faucet of the remaining water. Then call a professional in the area.
If you have a water heater tank:
We suggest that you turn this off as well, especially when one of the pipes leading to it has burst. When your home has already flooded, please be careful with electricity. It’s better to just contact a professional in Helotes, TX, for safety purposes.
Look for the Burst Pipe
Look for the damaged pipe while waiting for the plumber and consider taking photos or notes, especially when you’re planning to file a claim for water damage. Depending on the damage, a plumber might recommend that you either fix it or get it completely replaced.
If you have homeowners insurance, then please make sure that you hire qualified plumbers only. Otherwise, your claim may not be approved. If there is already water damage, please ensure that you clean the area. If possible, get a professional for restoration. Remember, it has to be cleaned within 24 hours to prevent mold growth.
Common Questions About Your Water Pressure
How do plumbers measure the water pressure in my home?
Water pressure is usually measured by PSI or pounds per square inch. Homeowners must install a pressure gauge to measure the water pressure in their homes. If you don’t know how to do this by yourself, we suggest that you contact a plumber.
What do I do when I have either low or high water pressure?
This could indicate that there might be issues with your plumbing. As much as possible, you need to address this problem at the soonest possible time to avoid further damage to your plumbing system.
Don’t worry; we have highly skilled and experienced plumbers at bluefrog Plumbing. We are more than happy to thoroughly inspect your plumbing system, diagnose the problem and discuss what’s causing it, and provide you with the most cost-effective plumbing solutions.
We also have emergency service available 24/7 in case your pipes have suddenly burst due to high water pressure.
Do I call a plumber when my water heater suddenly fluctuates? What if we suddenly don’t have hot water?
Fluctuations in your water pressure are usually not a concern but if you suspect there might be an issue with your plumbing, then please make sure that you contact one of our plumbers.
If you suddenly don’t have hot water, the problem is likely your water heater, not the water pressure. When was the last time you flushed out the sediment build-up in your water heater? Or it’s probably time to get it professionally serviced.
Tell me about water pressure-reducing valves. Are they any good?
A water pressure reducing valve controls the water pressure flowing to your faucets, showers, and appliances. They are very affordable and we recommend that homeowners install them in their homes. For installation, do ensure that you only hire a professional.
If you intend to conserve more water and save money on your bills, then installing water pressure-reducing valves is the way to go. To maintain these devices, simply clean them regularly. When they malfunction, don’t hesitate to contact a professional so they can help you repair them.
Contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio
Do you need a plumber in Helotes, TX, to help you check or measure the water pressure in your home? We can help! bluefrog Plumbing is an established plumbing company committed to providing exceptional plumbing services to homeowners and businesses. Our team of licensed plumbers always goes the extra mile and works incredibly hard to ensure you’re completely delighted with our service.
We provide a wide range of plumbing services including water heater installation/repair, water treatment, any plumbing repair, major plumbing installation, and plumbing maintenance. Get in touch with us and our team is more than happy to walk you through our process. Don’t worry, we’re fully equipped too. We’ll make sure that all plumbing problems are resolved on the same day. Contact us today for an appointment!
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