Water Pressure: Make Your Flow Fly

By Tim Parker


Problems with water pressure are one of the more annoying things that can go wrong in a house. Showers become less satisfying and dishes are even more of a chore than usual. Many homeowners live with these and many other water problems, simply because they aren't aware of how to fix them.

The majority of people get their water from the city water company. The water pressure, in the main lines underground, is extremely high. Friction within the water lines causes the pressure to lessen and where the water enters the home's water faucets, the pressure lessens even more. The bottom line is, the smaller the space is where the water moves through the more friction there will be causing the water pressure to lessen. So, if you notice that their is low water pressure coming from your faucet, there is most likely too much friction between the main water line and your home's sink.

Sometimes, the excess friction is caused by pipes being too small in the first place. Paying a professional to come in and replace all the plumbing with the correct size pipe will make an enormous difference. People building a new home can upgrade to the proper size pipe for a relatively low price and save a lot of hassle in the long run.

Pipes can get backed up and blocked because of mineral and chemical buildup. Water flowing through the pipes can leave calcium mineral deposits. Overtime those small mineral deposits can reduce the diameter of the inside of the pipe making it difficult for water to flow through. The good news is that mineral build up in pipes can be seen by the naked eye so by examining a small portion of the pipe where you are having difficulty can help you determine the issue. If you determine that it is indeed mineral build up in your pipes causing an issue, there are chemicals you can use to help breakdown the mineral deposits.

If the water pressure in your home has not had any problems and out of nowhere starts to have poor water pressure, the issue is probably outside your home and is with the main water line itself. In this situation you will want to inform the water company about the problem so they can fix it.

Some homes out there do not get their water from a water company but a water well. These homes have water pressure tanks and can have not only the same issues that non-well homes have but also have other issues of their own. For example, the water pressure tank can have leaks and if the tank is too small it may not provide enough pressure to get your water flow moving properly. Homeowners with water pressure tanks will want to have their tank examined on a regular basis for things such as leaks as well as other issues so that they can find them before they turn into a bigger problem.




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