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Controlling High or Low Water Pressure
You may take good water pressure for granted until something happens that requires plumbing service to restore your high-pressure showers and flushes. Has this ever happened to you at the end of a long day? You walk in the door, say hello to your family and pets and head straight for the shower. You turn on the nozzle only to realize a trickle is all you’re going to get.
Call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain to check your joints, supply lines and hardware to properly maintain your plumbing. A little maintenance goes a long way when it comes to keeping your water supply lines clear of calcium and other minerals and debris that can cause a clog and affect your water pressure. We can also tell you if the problem is in your water line or the municipal water supply lines. We have maintenance contracts that can ensure your plumbing remains in good working condition to avoid large bills for major plumbing services.
How Residential Water Pressure Works
Most homes receive water from a city water provider. Groundwater and surface water from rivers, lakes and reservoirs supply the water to your local municipality. Water goes directly to treatment plants and is stored in pressurized tanks located in high positions. Sometimes, water towers are needed to compensate for flat terrain. The combination of height and the weight of water generates the pressure needed to distribute the water throughout the distribution zone.
Water mains distribute the water from the water tanks to the community. Booster stations contain pumps to keep the water under pressure until it reaches your tap, ready to use. If the pressure becomes too high, the local water utility builds reducing stations to safely distribute high-pressure water to low-pressure areas.
If there’s a problem with the boosting or reducing station, plumbing service for your home plumbing system may not solve the problem. In that case, you have to contact the provider to resolve the problem. Your bluefrog Plumbing + Drain technician can help you determine if the problem lies in the city water lines.
Do You Use Well Water?
Private residential wells require pressure tanks and a switch that regulates water pressure. Typically, these are set to 30-50 psi, so the pump turns on at 30 psi and goes off again at 50 psi.
Your pressure tank may periodically require plumbing service to continue working in optimal condition. This could be the source of your water pressure woes.
If you need help determining whether you need a new water tank or regulator, call us today. Our expert plumbers can diagnose your system and let you know all your options.
What Is the Right Water Pressure?
Numerous factors come into play regarding your water pressure. This includes your property’s elevation compared to the height of the tank or tower supplying your area. The location and size of the water main feeding your supply line also play a role in what the pressure should be. The service line connecting your home to the city water line may not be size appropriately for your home and that can also affect the pressure you experience when you open the tap.
Once water hits your home plumbing system, many things can reduce water pressure. This includes clogged filter, blocked pipes, sediment in water heaters and leaks. Plumbing service to find the source of your low water pressure is the fastest way to resolve it.
In general, residential water pressure varies from 45 and 80 psi. If your pressure is under 40 psi is low and under 30 psi is too low to support a modern household. The minimum pressure per many codes is 20 psi. Pressures over 80 psi are very dangerous. High pressure damages joints, pipes and fixtures and poses a safety risk to your family.
Keep your family safe by calling the go-to plumbers in your area, bluefrog Plumbing + Drain.
How to Correct Water Pressure
It’s simple to monitor your water pressure to determine if you need plumbing service to adjust it. An inexpensive water pressure gauge that fits on a hose bib is the easy way to do so. These gauges usually have a high-level indicator that sticks at the highest pressure experienced until you reset it. This reveals any spikes of high pressure that can damage your pipes.
To reduce high pressure, call us for plumbing service to install a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV). In fact, codes often require them for pressure above 80 psi. These devices handle and reduce pressure as high as 400 psi and down to a level we set based to the conditions on your property.
Clear the Clogs
Clearing clogs and blockages is one plumbing service that often resolves low water pressure due to mineral deposits. The diameter of free space in the pipes decreases due to clogs and blockages in your main water line or the lines running to your faucets, sinks and tubs. We’ll test all the lines, find the problem and clear the clog to restore your water pressure.
Replace the Regulator
If you rely on public water, you probably have a regulator located where the service line enters your house or at the meter. When the regulator doesn’t work properly, water pressure drops and affects all your plumbing fixture. To resolve this issue, bluefrog Plumbing +Drain plumbers can fix or replace the regulator to restore normal functioning.
Call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain for Plumbing Service Today
Call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain for water pressure issues and other home plumbing service. We are a full-service plumbing company and can handle everything from drain clogs to new plumbing installations. We are the company to trust for reliable, fast service from competent technicians.
