What causes low water pressure in a house?
- Old galvanized pipe. It rusts inside until the opening is a fraction of its size. Pressure fades over years, and it is worst when two taps run at once.
- A failed pressure regulator. The valve where water enters the house can stick or wear out, and pressure drops or swings everywhere at the same moment.
- A leak. Water escaping from a line under the house, under a slab or in the yard never reaches your taps.
- A valve that is not fully open, at the meter or at the house.
- A clogged aerator, showerhead or cartridge. This affects one fixture only.
- A problem on the supplier's side, which affects the neighbors too.
How do I tell which one it is?
Three questions narrow it down. Is it one fixture or the whole house? Hot only, or hot and cold? Did it happen suddenly or creep up over years? One fixture points to that fixture. Hot only points to the water heater or its lines. Sudden and everywhere points to the regulator or a leak. Slow and everywhere, in an older home, points to the pipe.
How does Friendly Services fix low water pressure?
We measure the pressure where water enters the house and at the fixtures, which shows where it is being lost. Then we fix the actual cause:
- A new pressure regulator.
- Leak detection and repair.
- A new water line from the meter.
- Galvanized pipe replacement or a full repipe.
- A cleaned or replaced faucet or shower valve.
You get the cause and the cost before any work starts.
Can water pressure be too high?
Yes. Pressure that is too high is hard on pipes, water heaters, toilets and appliance hoses, and it is a common reason for leaks and banging pipes. A working pressure regulator keeps it in a normal range. We check for that too.
Where do you work?
We are based in Hayward and work across the East Bay. Much of Hayward was built between 1940 and 1960 with galvanized pipe, so low pressure is one of the most common complaints in older homes here.
Who is Friendly Services?
A family-owned plumbing company with over 20 years in Hayward. License CSLB #1156315 (C-36 plumbing), $1M general liability cover and workers' comp. Our own work has a five-year workmanship warranty, and we have 100+ five-star reviews online.