What Causes Low Water Pressure in a Home?
Weak water pressure makes a shower miserable and a sink slow to fill. Sometimes the fix takes five minutes. Other times, low water pressure in the house is the first sign of a bigger plumbing problem.
Check the Simple Things First
Start by noting where the pressure is low. If it's one faucet or one showerhead, the fixture is probably clogged. Unscrew the aerator and rinse out the grit. If the whole house is weak, find your main shutoff valve and make sure it's open all the way. Valves get bumped or left half-closed after a repair more often than you'd think. Ask a neighbor, too. If their pressure dropped the same day, the cause may be work on the water main, and it should clear up without a plumber.
The Pressure Regulator
Many homes around here have a pressure-reducing valve, or PRV, where the water line enters the house. You'll usually find it near the main shutoff. It keeps incoming pressure at a safe level. California plumbing code calls for one when street pressure runs above 80 psi. These valves wear out. When one starts to fail, pressure can drop off or swing up and down through the day. Testing takes a gauge and a few minutes, and pressure reducing valve replacement is routine work for us.
Old Pipes and Hidden Leaks
Pressure that fades slowly over the years often points to corrosion or buildup inside aging pipes. A sudden drop in water pressure is different. It can mean water is escaping somewhere you can't see. Folsom homeowners know this one well. In 2020, the city received reports of pinhole leaks in copper pipes at more than a thousand properties. A leak like that wastes water and can ruin drywall and flooring before you ever spot a stain. If your water bill jumps, or you hear water running with every tap off, call a plumber.
When to Call Harris Plumbing
If low pressure shows up at several fixtures or comes on suddenly, have the system checked. Harris Plumbing has served the area since 1998, and owner Steve Harris has 42 years in the trade. We offer same-day service calls during business hours. Call us about low water pressure in Folsom or anywhere nearby. We'll find the cause first and then recommend the repair
