Water pressure in house suddenly low can be frustrating, affecting various daily activities such as showering, getting drinking water washing dishes, or even flushing the toilet. But fear not, because in this article, I’m going to share with you a simple fix that I recently learned for situations where normal water pressure turn sudden drop to low pressure, and nothing inside the house was touched.
Top Reasons For Sudden Pressure Drop In Water Pressure
- Malfunctioning plumbing fixture
- Broken water pressure gauge
- Low pounds per square inch reading
- Defective hot water heater
- Leaking pipes and other plumbing system issues
- Partially closed shut-off water meter valve
- Faulty pressure reducing valve (PRV valve)
- Problems with the municipal water supply system
Quick Solutions Water Pressure In House Suddenly Low
- Turn off the electricity supply to the well pump as a safety precaution.
- Drain all the water from the tank to obtain an accurate pressure reading.
- This helps maintain water quality and prevent clogs or damage.
- It also flushes out sediment and potential build-up, such as iron deposits.
- Locate the pressure cap on the top of the tank.
- Check the pressure reading and compare it with the recommended cut-in and cut-out pressures for your system.
- If the reading is below 20 or 210 psi, adjust the tank to remove any remaining air.
- The ideal minimum pressure is 30 psi, while the maximum is typically 38 psi in most cases in the United States.
Sudden Low Water Pressure At Only One Fixture
If you suddenly notice drop in water pressure at only one fixture, the problem may be caused by one of the following:
Faulty fixture
- Certain types of faucets have a component called a cartridge, which controls water flow.
- Cartridges can become blocked due to build-up or worn out/defective over time.
- To fix this, you may need to replace the cartridge or even the entire fixture if a replacement cartridge is not available.
- Consider contacting a plumber for assistance as replacing a faucet cartridge involves disassembling and reassembling the faucet.
Dirty/Clogged aerator
- Over time, corroded pipes and fixtures can develop scale deposits that block water flow.
- These mineral deposits accumulate on surfaces and can block the water supply.
- Try unscrewing the faucet aerator or removing the showerhead to inspect for scale deposits.
- If you find any deposits (white, pink, or brownish crust), clean them off to restore water flow.
Blocked or leaking water supply pipe
- If there is a blockage, burst pipe or leak in the water supply pipe leading to the affected fixture, it can result in reduced water pressure.
- Inspect the pipes for any visible signs of leaks or damage.
- If you notice any issues, it’s recommended to seek professional assistance from a plumber to repair or replace the pipe.
Check Pressure Regulator
- Inspect the pressure regulator and the surrounding pipes for any visible signs of blockages or debris.
- Sediment, mineral deposits, or foreign objects can obstruct the flow of water and affect the regulator’s performance.
- If you notice any obstructions, clean or remove them carefully.
Sudden Loss Of Water Pressure For Hot Water Only
If you notice sudden low water pressure is consistent across all faucets and fixtures in your home when using hot water, it indicates a problem with your hot water heater system.
In this situation, it’s important to seek the assistance of a trained professional to service your hot water heater. Repairing or troubleshooting a hot water heater should only be done by a qualified plumber.
A plumber would start by assessing the unit and testing the water pressure, temperature, and flow rate. They will then proceed to repair or replace faulty components, such as valves, pipes, or heating elements, depending on the issue. Additionally, they may perform maintenance tasks like flushing or descaling the system to remove mineral buildup.
Sudden Low Water Pressure In Just One Area Of The House
When all the fixtures in a whole bathroom or kitchen experience a sudden decrease in water pressure, the problem can be traced back to the plumbing pipes.
If your home has older pipes, it’s possible that the main pipes supplying water to that specific area are corroded or blocked by scale deposits. Over time, pieces of rust or scale may break off and obstruct a narrow part of the pipe. If sudden low water pressure issue persists, call for help.
It’s important to contact a plumber who can diagnose the issue accurately. If the problem is due to pipe corrosion or scaling, you may require a pipe replacement. In the case of a leak, a pipe repair is necessary. Both pipe repair and replacement tasks should be handled by professionals with expertise in plumbing.
Sudden Low Water Pressure For The Whole House
In the case of sudden low water pressure throughout the entire house, the issues may include all of the above, not limited to problems with the municipal water supply, especially if the home’s main shut-off valve has been checked. If everything was functioning correctly and no adjustments were made, the problem could be attributed to the following:
- Leak
- Issue with the home’s pressure reducing valve
- Municipal water supply problem