5 Tips to Improve Your Home's Water Pressure

Are you finding your home’s water pressure dwindling? Or perhaps you simply feel it has room for improvement? Water pressure issues have to be addressed at their source. An expert can help you discover why your water pressure is low and arrive at the solution. So here is a look at 5 tips that can help improve your water pressure.

Adjust Water Pressure Regulator Valve

Perhaps the easiest way to improve the water pressure in your home is to have an expert adjust your water pressure regulator valve. These are valves that restrict your home’s water pressure to ensure you meet the PSI limits in your area. However, if your pressure is set beneath your local PSI limits, an expert can slightly increase this valve to improve your water pressure. You can read our guide to water pressure regulator valves here.

Stagger Water Usage

Have you ever been in the shower when someone flushed a toilet in your house? You may notice the shower water pressure temporarily lessens to accommodate the toilet tank refill. This same principle applies to every other water-based feature of your home. If you are in the shower while running the dishwasher, washing machine, outdoor sprinkler, or any faucet, you will experience lower water pressure.

One easy way to sidestep this inconvenience is to stagger water usage. Consider running your dishwasher at night when everyone is asleep. Or wait to run your washing machine until after everyone has showered. Perhaps most importantly, avoid running two showers simultaneously. This careful coordination can help curb low water pressure issues.

Showerhead and Faucet Upgrades

If you are working with an old showerhead or faucet, you could be missing out on pressure upgrades. New high-pressure efficiency showerheads and faucets can help improve your water pressure without severely increasing your water usage. For older shower units, you may consider treating yourself to a bathroom renovation. Investing in bathroom upgrades can help improve your water pressure while increasing the resale value of your home.

Remove Shower Head Water Restrictor

Some showerheads come with water restrictors to lower water pressure. These are often small pieces of plastic inserted into the back of the showerhead. The plastic disrupts the flow of water from your pipes through your shower. Water restrictors are designed to help you improve water conservation and avoid overly high water pressure. However, if you find yourself with water pressure that feels too low, removing this valve may help.

Repair Leaks

Much like running multiple water sources at the same time, water leaks will cause low pressure. Leaks divert water from your shower, faucet, or sinks. Additionally, they present the risk of water damage in your home. By having a professional repair these leaks, you can help avoid unnecessary water waste, prevent water damage, and improve your home’s water pressure. You can also read our guide on what to do when you have a plumbing leak.

Benefits of Raising Water Pressure

Why increase your water pressure? If you find that you have water flow, a water pressure increase can provide several benefits, including:

• Increased Comfort: If you enjoy high water pressure, you might find your showers and faucets feel more comfortable.
• Effective Appliances: When raising your home’s water pressure, such as with a regulator valve increase, you may notice your appliances work more effectively. For example, higher water pressure in your dishwasher may clean the dishes better.
• Improved Efficiency: While higher water pressure may use more water, it will cause better results that can actually improve your efficiency. For example, say your low water pressure causes it to take longer to wash the dishes. Higher water pressure will cut down on this extra time spent running the water.
• Faster Water Heating: When water is being pushed from your water heater to your shower more rapidly, you will likely find it takes less time for your water to heat.

Considerations for Overly High Pressure

If you are experiencing low water pressure, you will not have to worry about the negative effects of raising your water pressure. On the other hand, water pressure that is too high (above your local PSI regulations) can have some risks to consider:

• Pipe Risks: Excessive pressure can create turbulence within your pipes, which can lead to burst pipes, plumbing damage, and water leaks.
• Higher Bills: As you begin to use more water with higher pressure, you may see this reflected in your monthly water bill.
• Lower Appliance Lifespan: Much like your pipe risks, overly high water pressure can lower the life expectancy of your water-based appliances.
• Discomfort: Excessive water pressure can create discomfort when you overdo it, especially for children and other vulnerable demographics.

With this in mind, you should have an expert check your home’s water pressure before adjusting your regulator valve to ensure you are not overdoing it.

Newcomb and Company: Water Pressure Repairs

The Raleigh plumbers at Newcomb and Company are here to help you improve your water pressure. Whether you need your water pressure inspected, leaks repaired, or regulator valve increased, our experts are here for you. Our local plumbers proudly serve the greater Raleigh area, including Knightdale, Cary, Garner, Clayton, and beyond. You can make your plumbing appointment here online to get started today!