Why has my water pressure been so low lately?
There aren’t any negatives to Summer, right? Especially here in New England, we truly celebrate our summers. Spending time at our beaches, vacations, outdoor dining, and so much more. Oh wait, then there’s the issue no one wants to deal with in the Summer – Low Water Pressure! We have heard so much chatter on local South Shore town Facebook groups, that we knew we had to address this matter.
There could be several different reasons why you might be experiencing changes in water pressure, and one of them due to the extreme heat and drought we are currently facing in Massachusetts.
Another reason might be caused by debris such as dirt, sand, solidified oil and grease, food particles, or foreign objects. Pollutants can block pipes if they back up due to fractures in the water main. Mineral buildup clogs pipes over time and causes the water pressure to go down, as there’s less space for water to travel through.
So, what can you do?
- Check your main shut-off valve to make sure it isn’t partially closed. The main shut-off valve may be located underground near the street, or in your garage, basement, or crawlspace. If you can’t locate it, you can ask a plumber to find it for you.
- Check the faucets aerators and make sure they are clogged with dirt and debris
- If there’s an accumulation of sediments in your hot water tank, it can lower your water pressure. The presence of kinks in the flexible water pipes used in water heaters can result in low water pressure. If the shut-off valve isn’t fully open, water pressure can drop.
Many towns on the South Shore are also facing a water crisis currently due to severely low water levels which is causing low pressure from the source itself. It is also causing discolored water. Many towns are asking homeowners and business to limit all no essential water usage (washing cars, watering lawns, filling pools).
You can make a long-term impact by switching your bathroom fixtures to approved WaterSense fixtures:
- Install a water saving shower head.
- Install a high efficiency toilet
- Install a recirculating Hot-Water System
- Install a water-saving faucet
“WaterSense, a voluntary partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is both a label for water-efficient products and a resource for helping you save water.
The WaterSense label makes it simple to find water-efficient products, new homes, and programs that meet EPA’s criteria for efficiency and performance. WaterSense-labeled products and services are certified to use at least 20 percent less water, save energy, and perform as well as or better than regular models.
WaterSense partners with manufacturers, retailers and distributors, homebuilders, irrigation professionals, and utilities to bring WaterSense to your community. Our partnerships encourage innovation in manufacturing and support sustainable jobs for American workers.”
So, as you look for solutions to lower water pressure this summer consider making the switch on your plumbing fixtures to help solve the problem longer term for your self and other.
When you are ready to tackle this bath renovation let out team know so we can help you choose the best WaterSense fixtures for your home and lifestyle.
Contact Almar today (781-826-2578) for your dream home renovation and to work with our wonderful team!
******************************************************************************
Almar Building & Remodeling Co (Hanover Ma). As a third-generation family-owned and operated company for over 60 years Almar Building has all the benefits of a small company with the options of a larger company. From Additions, Kitchens, Bathroom, Basement Renovations, Siding, Windows, to Doors Almar services the entire South Shore of Massachusetts including Hanover, Hingham, Pembroke, Norwell, Scituate, Cohasset, Duxbury, Hanson, Braintree, Weymouth, Milton, and many more towns, Why has my water pressure been so low lately?
