Many of us take our indoor plumbing and water supply for granted. We simply turn on our faucets and expect a strong stream of water to start flowing. When the plumbing fixtures work perfectly, we can get as much water as possible from our taps and showers. Unfortunately, it is pretty common to experience a loss of water pressure in the house from time to time.

Water pressure problems lead to many inconveniences for homeowners. When there is not enough water coming out of the faucets, you cannot wash dishes or take a shower properly. A sudden loss of water pressure could happen for various reasons. The problem is unlikely to go away on its own, so contact a plumber to make repairs and restore the regular water flow.

Let’s go over what causes the sudden loss of water pressure in a house:

Main Water Supply to House

In most homes, your water is connected to a mainline on the street. If you experience a sudden loss of water pressure in your house, other nearby homes probably encounter the same issue. Check with your neighbours to see whether they have low water pressure problems. If they have the same situation, then the fault lies somewhere in the main water supply.

Give your water company a call and describe the issue. It is their job to ensure your main water supply works, so they should look into the problem quickly. However, if your neighbours aren’t having any plumbing issues, that means the water pressure problem is unique to your house.

Water Pressure Regulator Problems

The pressure regulator is a control valve that adjusts the water flow as it comes into your home. Its purpose is to limit high water pressure from damaging the pipes. Not all homes use a pressure regulator, but it could be the source of your problem if you have one installed. When the device is malfunctioning, you might get spikes of increased water pressure or suddenly reduced flow.

A plumber can test the flow of water and determine whether the pressure regulator is at fault. In many cases, the pressure regulator is broken or too old. The solution is to repair or replace the component.

Water Shut-Off Valve

All homes have a water shut-off valve. This component controls the water flow to your plumbing network, which you can shut off in case there’s a burst pipe or leakage. The valve might be in your basement or utility room. In condos, it’s often found near your washer and dryer closet.

Some homeowners shut off their water supply when they go on vacation as a safety precaution. However, they might forget to turn on the valve again upon returning. Check to see if the water shut-off valve is partially closed. If so, open it fully and inspect your plumbing fixtures again. This simple gesture might be your solution to restoring the water pressure in a house.

Faulty Plumbing Fixtures

Check to see if there is a loss of water pressure in the shower or other taps. You may discover the problem is not prevalent throughout the entire house. Instead, the loss of water pressure might only affect one specific faucet.

In these instances, the low water pressure may originate from a faulty fixture in the sink. Your faucet has an aerator that reduces the water volume coming out of the tap. The aerator can control the water stream better, but it might get a buildup of debris over time. Contact an Oshawa plumber to have the faulty components replaced or repaired.

Pipe Blockage

Our drains are responsible for washing away lots of debris, including hair, toothpaste, and soap scum. Over time, they can build up and cause a blockage in the drain, affecting water pressure in a house. Some light clogs can be resolved by pouring hot water, but deeper blockages will require professional expertise. Depending on where the clog is, you may need to contact a plumber to clear it.

Leaking Pipe

When you have checked everything else, the cause of water pressure loss may turn out to be a leaking pipe. Even a tiny leak can divert enough water and cause low water pressure. The leak won’t go away and will only worsen over time.

This tricky problem requires finding the water leak and making urgent repairs. While you may see strange puddles in your basement or on the floor, not all water leaks are noticeable. See if you can find the source of the leak. Identifying the origins allows the plumber to come in quickly and fix the leaking pipe.