Low water pressure in your home?

Understanding and tackling low water pressure in your Perth home and garden

We all rely on consistent water pressure for daily tasks, such as taking showers, washing dishes, and watering the garden. However, when low water pressure strikes, it can be a source of great frustration.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the signs of low water pressure, common causes, and effective solutions. We’ll also discuss the impact of low water pressure on your garden’s lawn reticulation system and how to address it. Let’s dive in!

Signs of low water pressure

If you’re experiencing any of the following issues, you may be dealing with low water pressure:

• Immediate low pressure from taps or shower heads
• Delay between turning on the tap and water flow
• Weak dribble coming from your shower head
• Sinks or baths taking longer than usual to fill up

Common causes of low water pressure

Low water pressure can happen for a number of reasons. Annoyingly, it can be one small fitting that can cause a wealth of frustration. Alternatively, the problem could be unrelated to your property and could be due to a supply issue in your neighbourhood. 

Here are some common causes of low water pressure in Perth households and businesses:

1. Pipe build up

A build-up of debris or minerals in your water pipes can lower your home’s water pressure over time. It does this by reducing the diameter of the pipes, affecting the water flow and ultimately, your water pressure. 

2. Main shutoff valves

Most homes have two major shutoff valves controlling the water supply to the home. The first is the water meter valve which is located next to the water meter on the city supply pipe. 

You do not normally use this valve as it is the property of the Water Corporation. However, if work has recently been completed, it may not be fully open. Check the handle is parallel to the water pipe, which indicates it is open correctly. 

The other valve is the property of your home. Make sure this is also fully open, by ensuring it is fully turned in a counterclockwise direction if it is a wheel-like handle or parallel to the pipe if a handle.

3. Too many taps on at once

Using more than one tap in the household simultaneously to access the water supply can result in low water flow through your pipes. Quickly walk around your home and ensure the other taps are tightly shut off before returning to check if the pressure has improved. 

4. Water leaks  

If your water pressure problem has appeared suddenly, you may have a water leak in your plumbing system. Check for flooding or wet spots in and around your home. If there are no overt signs, you may have a concealed leak underground. We highly recommend you call your local Perth plumbers immediately to locate and fix the leak. 

5. Stressed hot water system

Your water heater may be struggling to keep up with household demand. Alternatively, the water pressure valve located on the system may be faulty. It is worth calling the No Probs Plumbing team for advice and troubleshooting if this is the case. 

6. Faulty pressure reducing valve

While these handy pressure regulator devices can ease the pressure on your pipes allowing them to last longer, they can also cause low pressure if faulty. If this is the cause it will affect the pressure of all fixtures in the home quite suddenly. Call in the professionals to organise a replacement. 

7. Water maintenance works 

The next step is to determine if there are any works in your area that may be contributing to your low water pressure. 

Check the Water Corporation’s check current outages page to check if any works are being conducted in your area, or alternatively, give them a call on 13 13 75.

How to measure low water pressure

The Water Corporation provides 20 litres of water per minute to households across WA, but this can vary depending on the location of your water services on your property. 

Here is a simple test you can complete to check you are receiving the correct number of litres through the mains water system:

1. Ensure all taps and water-using appliances are turned off. 
2. Go to your water metre and note down the black and red numbers on your water meter. 
3. Turn on your front garden tap for one minute and again note the reading on your meter. 
4. Subtract the first meter reading from the second to determine the number of litres delivered during that minute.

If you are receiving more than 20 litres per minute, there may be an issue with your internal pipe-work. But if you are receiving less than 20 litres per minute, call the Water Corporation so they can further investigate your supply issue. 

Low water pressure and lawn reticulation

Low water pressure doesn’t only affect your home’s plumbing system; it can also impact your lawns reticulation. Here are some ways low pressure can affect your reticulation:

Inadequate water distribution: Uneven water distribution can lead to inconsistent growth and potential damage to your plants.

Reduced system efficiency: Low pressure can cause your reticulation system to work harder, increasing water consumption and costs.

Poor sprinkler performance: Sprinklers may produce weak spray, resulting in inadequate coverage

To address low water pressure in your lawn reticulation system, you can:

• Check for leaks and repair or replace damaged components
• Adjust the reticulation system settings to optimise performance under low water pressure
• Install a pressure regulator to maintain consistent water pressure

How to fix low water pressure in Perth

Having established your water pressure issue, it’s worth checking if the issue can easily be resolved through DIY means. However, sometimes locating where the issue is coming from can be a challenge in itself. 

Your best chance is to contact the team here at No Probs Plumbing and Electrical. We are able to locate the issue and ensure your home is equipped with high water pressure once again.

Call in the experts from No Probs Plumbing

For cost-effective low water pressure plumbing solutions in your home or business, contact the team at No Probs Plumbing and Electrical. 

Our workmanship is always of the highest quality, performed by trained professionals, and backed by our customer service guarantee.

Our experienced plumbers and gas fitters tackle everything from burst pipes to leaking taps, blocked drains to appliance installation and all gas fitting needs with a high level of service. 

We are on call for emergency services, such as burst pipes and gas leaks. Call us today on (08) 9315 5545 or drop us an email at info@noprobsplumbing.com.au.