Why Your Water Pressure Is Low

Topic

low water pressure

For

Newmarket homeowners

Need a hand?

(365) 990-3021

The reason it counts

Low pressure is more than an annoyance in the shower. It can signal a hidden leak, a failing pressure regulator, a partly closed valve, or old pipe narrowing from the inside. Some causes cost nothing to fix; others are worth planning for before they become urgent.

The good news is that the first few checks need nothing more than a cloth, an adjustable wrench and a cup of white vinegar. Begin with them before assuming the worst, and keep notes on what you tried; it helps us later if a visit is needed.

Steps, in order

1. Is it one tap or the whole house? If only one faucet is weak, the problem is local. If every fixture is down, look at the main supply.
2. Clear the aerator. Twist off the faucet tip, rinse away grit and scale, soak it in vinegar if crusted, and refit it. Showerheads respond to the same treatment.
3. Try the fixture stops. The little valves below each sink are sometimes left partly closed after earlier work.
4. Start at the main valve. Confirm that the main shut-off is open all the way.
5. Find the pressure-reducing valve. Plenty of homes carry a bell-shaped regulator just after the meter. These wear out and can drift low.
6. Ask the neighbours. If the street is affected, there may be municipal work or a main break nearby. Contact the town's water department.
7. Consider leaks. A hidden leak lowers available pressure. An overnight meter test tells you quickly.

Older pipe and pressure

Galvanized steel supply lines, found in some older Newmarket homes near the historic core, rust from the inside and slowly choke the flow. If your house still has grey threaded pipe, our circular on galvanized pipe explains what to look for. A worn or undersized service line from the street can also limit flow to a whole house.

Private wells

On a well, pressure depends on the pump and pressure tank settings. A tank that has lost its air charge causes the pump to cycle rapidly and pressure to swing. That is covered in our circular on private well care.

Ringing for help

Call us when cleaning aerators and checking valves makes no difference, when pressure drops suddenly, or when you suspect a regulator or service line problem. We can measure static pressure with a gauge, replace regulators, and quote water line replacement where the pipe itself is the limit. A sluggish single fixture may only need faucet repair. Families in Huron Heights and nearby neighbourhoods with original plumbing often find it worth having the whole system checked together.