When you turn on the tap or start the dishwasher in your Owasso house, don’t you expect a steady flow of water? A weak stream that’s barely more than a trickle is frustrating, and low water pressure is quite a common plumbing issue. Still, if you don’t recognize it until it becomes an inconvenience, you can’t prevent it, so it pays to look closely at a few things.
Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, & Electric, Owasso’s plumbing repair services leader, shares the clues below to give you a heads-up about low pressure before things escalate.
1. Reduced Water Flow
Changes to the amount of water flowing from faucets and fixtures are the most obvious sign of a low water pressure issue. Most people notice a difference in the shower, but depending on the source of the problem and its location, you might spot changes in one of the faucets, too. Often, these changes occur gradually, so you might not notice until the flow becomes so weak it’s hard to rinse off or wash the dishes.
Of course, there are cases where the water pressure drops out of the blue. Often, the main water line is the problem. Unexpected pressure drops could also be due to a malfunctioning pressure regulator.
2. Dripping Faucets
A dripping faucet is never a good thing. These plumbing issues require attention, although you might not realize that this dripping or leaking faucet is a common sign of low water pressure!
In your Owasso home, changes in water pressure as it flows through a fixture can compromise its seals and washers. Over time, this might allow water to escape. If you have recurring trouble with dripping faucets, your plumbing might have severely clogged pipes or corrosion, causing damaging fluctuations in the water pressure.
3. Unusual Sounds
Loud or strange noises coming from your home’s plumbing pipes or water-connected fixtures are never a good sign. These noises could indicate a number of issues, including a blockage or sludge buildup that’s preventing water from flowing freely. As the water struggles to get past the obstacle, the pipes can make banging, rattling, or gurgling noises.
Sometimes, the water may also come out of the tap looking discolored or darker than usual.
4. Appliances Don’t Work Correctly
Appliances like dishwashers and washing machines need an adequate water supply to work properly. Without the right pressure, they’ll fill too slowly (or not at all) and stop working. You might also notice issues with your refrigerator’s ice maker and water dispenser when something’s wrong with the property’s plumbing.
Even when the appliances run, low water pressure can prevent them from working correctly. For example, you might notice a washing machine not fully rinsing off the soap or dishes that are still dirty after a full dishwasher cycle. If things that are supposed to make your life easier are instead creating more work for you, it’s time to call an Owasso plumber.
5. Inconsistent Water Temperatures
Have you ever been minding your own business in the shower when the water changed temperature without warning because someone else turned on a tap or flushed a toilet? This is a common issue in homes with old plumbing since a decrease in water pressure can temporarily affect hot or cold water flow.
If these changes occur randomly, there could be an issue somewhere in the system that needs repair, like sediment buildup in the water heater. Pressure fluctuations would then affect the hot water tap.
Why Turn To Professionals To Deal With Inadequate Water Pressure in Owasso, OK?
If you do experience weak flow from showerheads or taps, it can feel like a minor annoyance. Still, you shouldn’t ignore it because it is often a sign of a bigger issue in the pipes that requires attention. Ignoring something like a clog would cause pressure to increase on one side, damaging the pipe and potentially causing water leaks.
If you’d like to avoid a costly repair bill, you might want to enlist the help of a local plumber if you notice any of the five signs mentioned above. Whether it’s a pressure regulator adjustment or a pipe replacement, a steady water flow might be only one small repair away.
Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, & Electric Helps Owasso Homeowners With Plumbing Problems
Are you dealing with low water pressure in your Owasso, Oklahoma, home? Don’t wait for it to get worse – call Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, & Electric’s experts to get to the root of the problem. We’re also helpful in emergencies, like addressing the causes of overheating ACs or replacing broken furnaces.
