Low water pressure is not just a problem for you, but it is also a problem for the environment. Some people think that low water pressure means that homeowners use less water.
But in fact, having low water pressure can mean that you leave the water on longer. The end result can be that you actually end up wasting more water! All in all, an average family might end up wasting almost 10,000 gallons of water each year, or almost 40,000 liters.
On top of that, of course, low water pressure is inconvenient for the people who live in a home. When water pressure’s low in apartments, it slightly decreases the quality of life for everyone who lives there.
So how can you help keep your water pressure as high as it should be? Read on to learn all about some of the most common ways people end up with low water pressure!
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What Causes Low Hot Water Pressure?
Many different things can cause low water pressure. Some of the most common problems include leaks, clogged pipes, or problems with your valves. In some cases, the causes of low water pressure might also originate with the municipal supply.
Leaks
If you are experiencing low water pressure in sinks or other home appliances, then one of the most likely causes of your problem is a leak in your pipes. Modern pipe technology creates pipes that are extremely robust and long-lasting. However, like any other tool, it is possible for them to fail.
Once a leak starts, it is likely to grow larger. The constant flow of water through the leak will widen it over time. In some cases, you can find these leaks simply by looking through your home.
When you are looking for leaks, it helps to know which parts of the pipe are most likely to have a leak. Generally, those will be the joints and seams of a pipe. Wherever PVC material is used, you are more likely to end up with a leak relative to the rest of the pipe.
Of course, if you live in an apartment building, then the leak in a pipe might not be visible from the inside of your own unit. In that case, you might need to ask the building manager to manage a check on the pipes of the building.
In other cases, pipes can develop such tiny leaks that you cannot easily see them. Each individual leak does not decrease the water pressure very much. But many tiny leaks together can cause a significant difference.
In these cases, it will not be enough to simply examine the pipes. A professional plumber may be able to help you. They can perform pressure tests to determine if there is a leak or not in your pipes.
Clogs in Your Pipes
Even if a pressure test suggests that there is a problem with your pipes, it might not be a leak. In some cases, the problem could be the result of a clog instead.
When most people think about clogged pipes, they imagine irresponsible residents who flush the wrong items down a drain. This can indeed cause clogs. A rag or a huge clump of disposable paper can cause a serious clog.
On the other hand, sometimes a clog in a pipe is not the fault of anyone in particular. Over time, pipes are liable to experience build-ups in sediment. This is especially true if there is hard water in your area.
In these cases, you may need to call on the services of a professional plumber.
Rooftop Tank Problems
Some apartment buildings rely on rooftop tanks to provide reliable water pressure. When there are momentary lapses by water providers, the water stored in this tank can come in handy.
In other cases, many residents in an apartment building might be trying to use water at the same time. When that happens, the pipes might not be prepared to provide all of that water at the same time. That is another time that the extra water stored in the rooftop tank can come in handy.
But what if you are experiencing low water pressure? When people ask, “What causes low water pressure?”, sometimes the answer is the rooftop water tank.
A leaking tank will not be able to provide for the needs of a building. Or perhaps the tank is simply not large enough. If it is chronically empty, that may indicate that you need a larger tank.
Water Filter Problems
All of the water that flows into your apartment building must first pass through the water filter. If the water filter is blocked, then water will not be able to flow freely to your building. This can cause low water pressure.
Water filters can end up blocked by sediment, leaves, or other debris. In many cases, a simple cleaning will return things to normal. If you want to know how to keep your home in the best shape possible, this is a tip worth knowing!
Know What to Do When Water Pressure’s Low in Apartments
We hope that you were able to take away something helpful from this brief article on a few of the ways you can know what to do when water pressure’s low in apartments. Many people underestimate the importance of taking care of these little problems. At the end of the day, your water pressure is something that will affect you every day for potentially years or decades to come.
It is worth taking the time and effort to make sure that this part of your day goes as pleasantly as possible. Enjoying proper water pressure every day can make a big difference in the long run.
To learn more about homeownership and how to manage your living space, feel free to reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!
