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You may not realise the role excellent water pressure plays in your home until you have insufficient hot water or experience weak shower streams. Indeed, solving low water pressure issues in South Australian homes is a challenge that professional plumbers often face.
This post discusses signs of low water pressure, the consequences of abnormal water pressure in water systems, and why South Australian homes experience low water pressure. You can also learn how to solve low water pressure in your house and learn more about the services of professional plumbers. Let's dive in!
Explaining water pressure
You can think of water pressure as the force that water flowing through pipes exerts on your plumbing system. Your home's water pressure can determine how adequate the water supply to outlets such as showerheads and faucets can be.
Plumbing systems that maintain the correct water pressure get to last longer. Good water pressure helps to prevent plumbing issues such as pipe bursts and water damage.
Signs of low water pressure
Identifying South Australia's low water pressure issues is the first step to solving them. You can then get professional help to trace the cause and solve and prevent future occurrences.
Here are some signs of low water pressure:
- You may have slow water flowing from your faucets.
- Appliances may take longer to fill up with water.
- Streams from shower heads begin to get slow or weak.
- Insufficient hot water supply
Effects of abnormal water pressure on water systems
Abnormal water pressure in South Australia's water system can lead to several problems. Consequences of low water pressure include the following:
- Showers can have weak streams and perform poorly.
- You are likely to have slow-filling bathtubs.
- Your kitchen will likely have low water flow.
- Consequences of high water pressure
- You may have burst pipes in plumbing systems.
- There is a probability of water wastage.
- You may incur high water bills.
Why South Australian homes have pressure issues
Read on for more information on the causes of low water pressure in South Australian households.
Clogged pipes
If you have a sudden drop in water pressure or flow of water at discrete locations in your home rather than throughout, you may have clogged pipes. Clogs from mineral deposits and sediment build-up can reduce water flow and restrict water flow.
In essence, the force of the water flow is reduced, causing low water pressure. One way to resolve sediment build-up is to use garden hoses and flush out debris from supply pipes.
Pipe leaks
Low water pressure can occur because of leaking taps or leaky pipes in plumbing systems. In turn, your pipes may have water leaks if they get damaged, suffer wear, or are poorly connected. The result is that plumbing systems lose water pressure as water escapes and less water gets to your outlets. Signs of leaking pipes include water stains and damp walls.
Rusty or corroded pipes
The old metal pipes in your plumbing system may be corroded. If this is the case, the internal diameter of the pipes may become narrow and restrict water flow. The pipes may also experience partial or full blockages, affecting water pressure. Signs of corroded pipes in older plumbing systems include discoloured water and the metallic taste of the water.
Incorrectly sized pipes
Undersized pipes and pipes with diameters that are too small to meet water demand can cause low water pressure throughout the home. The pipes will restrict the volume of free water flowing, thereby reducing pressure. This situation becomes exacerbated when you run multiple outlets simultaneously.
Malfunctioning water pressure regulator
A well-functioning water pressure regulator controls your home's water pressure and can thus increase water pressure or lower it if it is faulty. It is a pressure-reducing valve connecting to your main water supply line.
Pressure regulators can also cause random water pressure dips and spikes. An indication of a faulty pressure regulator is when you have an abnormal pressure, but your neighbours have a normal one.
Increased water demand
One of the possible reasons for low water pressure is increased household demand for water. If you have more people in your household who use water and the pressure drops, you will likely need an upgraded water supply system.
Trapped air pockets in the water supply pipe
If your main water supply pipe has trapped air, you may have increased water pressure. The air pockets can cause bubbles that rise to the surface, creating a bottleneck. This action also affects the flow rate from the storage tank, making it rapid, and this increases the water pressure.
Solving low water pressure in your house
You have to first identify the cause of low water pressure and then take steps to fix low water pressure issues and increase water pressure.
Identifying causes of low water pressure
Here are some steps to identify the cause of low pressure in your home.
- Do an initial assessment to confirm whether the low pressure occurs on all outlets or only specific ones.
- Inspect the system for leaks, corrosion, or signs of damage.
- Ask your neighbours whether they have the same problem.
- Connecting water pressure gauges to hose bibs and taking readings can help your assessments.
- You can go near the main water shutoff valves to inspect your water pressure regulator for signs of wear or damage to pinpoint the problem.
- The typical standard water pressure range is between 40 and 80 PSI. This, however, depends on your location.
Checking tap water pressure and water meter reading
Steps to identify water pressure issues include checking the water pressure of plumbing fixtures. For example, you may check your tap water pressure and check the water meter. If the meter reading keeps moving even after turning off appliances and fixtures and observing for 15-20 minutes, you will likely have a water leak.
Fixing clogged pipes and leaky pipe
- Use a plumbing snake to locate clogs and cleaning agents to dissolve minor clogs and resolve clogged pipes.
- Hiring a plumber is your best option for severe clogs.
- A waterproof tape can help repair leaky pipes, but it is, again, best to get a professional plumber to fix or replace leaky pipes.
- A plumber can also replace corroded pipes with corrosion-resistant PVC or copper pipes.
Solving faulty pressure regulators
The water pressure regulator is usually located close to the entry point of the main water lines to homes. You can adjust it by simply turning the adjustment screw clockwise for increased pressure and anti-clockwise for reduced pressure. Remember to check the water pressure so you do not alter it too much.
Solving undersized pipes and increased demand
You can upgrade to larger pipes with increased water demand or undersized pipes.
Solving clogged faucets
Aerators are small filters on the ends of faucets that can get clogged and reduce water flow. You can unscrew and disassemble them, clean their parts, reassemble them, and attach them again.
Solving clogs due to water heater sediments
First, turn off water heaters to flush sediments off them and improve the water heater (switch off the power of electric heaters and turn off gas valves for gas heaters).
Then, attach your garden hose to the drain valve and drain the tank. You can refill the tank, close the valve and switch the water supply on when you're done.
Solving water supply mains issues
If you have confirmed from your neighbours that the water pressure issue is water supply-related, you can consult your local water company for a solution.
Using water pressure boosters
There are times when installing water pressure booster pumps can directly solve systemic low water pressure issues that arise from poor community supply. Using a professional water pressure booster pump installation service instead of a DIY one helps ensure that the pressure booster pump is installed efficiently, and you can have a service warranty to back it up.
Services of professional plumbers
Some of the services of professional plumbers include the following:
- Licensed plumbers have specialised equipment for CCTV drain inspection, leak detection and repair.
- Professional plumbers can use rooter tools to clear off clogs from clogged pipes. They can then fix corroded or clogged pipes by cleaning or replacing them.
- They can check your main water sources and water mains supply for issues such as signs of wear and tear.
- You can depend on your plumber to perform pipe replacements.
- Emergency plumbers can provide emergency plumbing services such as hot water repairs, fixing blocked drains, and unclogging blocked toilets.
- They can help install reliable hot water systems or gas heaters and improve water efficiency.
Other services of professional plumbers
Installing pressure-limiting valves
According to the national plumbing standard AS/NZS 3500.1, new water connections must be fitted with a pressure limiting valve if water pressures exceed 500 Kilopascals (kPa). A licensed and experienced plumbing contractor can help you install a PLV to meet this standard. This can help protect your water pipes and appliances.
Checking the water meter
You may need to adjust the water meter if it has been tampered with. Your professional plumber can check the water meter, test it, and take appropriate measures.
Installing water filters
A plumber can install water filters on the inlet and outlet of hot water systems to filter out sediments. They will also clean them often or replace them when needed.
Installing water treatment systems
You may not realise it, but a water filtration and treatment system can help prevent low water pressure issues. This includes resolving dirt and scale build-up as well as corrosion.
Hire a licensed plumber for water pressure issues
This post on solving low water pressure issues in South Australian homes has considered the signs and consequences of low water pressure and how to solve low water pressure in your house.
It is easy to cause further damage to your plumbing system when attempting DIY water pressure fixes. You should seek professional help to fix low water pressure issues for many reasons.
Licensed plumbers usually have the skill and training to do an efficient job. They are also up-to-date with building codes and regulations and can ensure a safer water pressure solution.
