Tag: water pressure

How To Improve Your Water Pressure

Have you ever noticed sluggish water flow coming from one or more faucets in your home? If you have, this is a situation that you must investigate and tend to promptly. Low water pressure can be caused by many things. It could be something as simple as a shut-off valve that has been closed or a faucet that is plugged, to something more complex like a failing water tank or a plumbing leak. You should do a whole home plumbing inspection when you notice low water pressure, as the cause can be coming from more than one area.

Step One: Check Your Water Pressure

  •   Test all faucets inside and on the exterior of your home.
  •   Run water on each faucet to determine if one or more areas have low water pressure.
  •   Run both hot and then cold water through each faucet. Sometimes water pressure is only low when the hot water is on, indicating a problem with the water heater.

Step Two: Check the Affected Faucet

  •   If you only have low water pressure in one area, inspect the affected fixture for clogs.
  •   Remove the end of the faucet and check for clogs such as calcification and limescale buildup.
  •   If the aerator needs to be cleaned, you can soak it in vinegar, or use a limescale remover.
  •   Before you reapply the cleaned aerator, turn the faucet on, and see if there is sluggish flow even without the aerator. That would indicate the problem is of another cause.
  •   Note that you can also replace your aerator with one that has a higher flow rate.

Step Three: Check Other Potential Sources

  •   Check the shutoff valve in your home. If it is even turned a small amount, it can drastically reduce your water pressure.
  •   Look for water leaks. A running toilet is a common cause of an ongoing plumbing leak. This wastes a ton of water but also can cause water pressure issues to other fixtures in your home.
  •   Check your water heater. If you have low water pressure when running hot water only, check to see if the hot water shutoff valve been turned off.
  •   Make sure the sprinkler outside your home has been turned off. If you have a built-in irrigation system, consider having it tested. A small leak in this system can cause continual water loss and water pressure issues.

Step Four: Contact a Plumbing Company

  •   If you still haven’t been able to locate and correct the cause of low water pressure, consider contacting a professional plumbing company. They will conduct a thorough analysis of all water lines in your home to determine the source of the problem.
  •   One serious cause of low water pressure would be if your home has polybutylene (poly-B) pipes. They can become corroded over time and cause many disastrous plumbing leaks. The replacement of this type of plumbing is best left to the professionals. Read more about determining if you have poly-B piping.

Step Five: Get a Water Softener

  •   If you noticed a lot of mineral buildup inside your faucet aerators, it may be time to consider having a water softener added to your home.
  •   While we have excellent drinking water, Edmonton is known to have moderately hard water. Mineral deposits can build up and cause plumbing problems, as well as shorten the lifespan of your hot water tank and humidifier. It is also hard on your clothes and skin.
  •   Learn more about how a water softener can eliminate your hard water problems.

When you experience water pressure issues that you cannot fix yourself, contact the professional plumbers at Always Plumbing & Heating to take this daunting task off your hands. We would be happy to conduct a thorough whole-home plumbing inspection to locate any existing problems, as well as recommendations to prevent issues in the future. At Always Plumbing our customers come first which is why all of our work is backed up with the “Always Plumbing & Heating Fixed Right or It’s Free” Guarantee. We do Upfront StraightForward Pricing® which means you will never get a surprise bill or extra costs tacked on to your final invoice. All pricing is discussed and agreed upon before work even begins.

All of our technicians are certified and receive the best training available in the industry. You can trust us to be there on time, there when you need us 24/7 with the right tools for the job – Always! Call us 780-489-8118 or book online today.

Plumbing Fixes Before Selling

Selling Your Home? Make Sure Your Plumbing is up to Snuff Before Listing!

Selling a home gives you the opportunity to make a profit, but you also need to consider the things that could hinder your sale. A problem with the plumbing turns potential buyers away and may cause complications for the selling process. By taking the time to fix potential concerns before listing your property, you gain an advantage by passing the inspection and keeping the interest of a buyer. While the exact steps you take depend on the problems, having a clear idea of when to fix an issue helps you take action before a buyer asks for an inspection.

Leaks in the Pipes

A key problem to fix before listing a property is a leak. Do not allow a leak to persist, especially when it is a small problem that can worsen over time. Some leaks may just need you to tighten a pipe, but more serious leaks should require you to bring in a professional to put an end to the problem.

The key reason to fix a leak before listing is the potential for water damage. If you allow the leak to persist, then a buyer may see damaged floors or damaged wood under the sink. Fixing the leak and repairing any damage ensures that your home makes a positive first impression. Ideally, you want to fix the problem before it damages any other part of your home.

Problems with Water Pressure

Water pressure is a complicated problem because it is not always easy to fix. The problem may stem from a clog in your plumbing, partially closed shut-off valves or issues with your home’s water. Home buyers will almost always go around to check if everything is working well, and may feel unsure about moving forward should they discover low water pressure. This is one of those subtle things that can make you miss out on a sale that many sellers are not aware of until their home has sat on the market for far too long.

Before calling a professional, check that your shut-off valves are fully open. If you notice the valve is partially closed, then turn the valve and then check your water pressure. In some situations, you will have better water pressure. When the problem persists, call a professional to check for other issues. A professional may remove a clog or change out the plumbing. In other situations, a professional may install a pump to increase the water pressure. Keep in mind that the pressure may relate to the water on your street, so you may benefit from calling the local water department should all else fail.

Clogs and Sewer Problems

Fix a clog in the toilet, sinks or shower before listing the property. If you have a problem with the sewage, then contact a professional to fix the issue. A problem with the sewage may range from consistent clogs to a toilet that backs up and leaves a mess in your home. Allow a professional to address the problems with your sewage system before you sell the property.

Rusty or Damaged Water Heaters

Do not list your property if your water heater has a large amount of rust or other complications. As the seller, you are responsible for problems that relate to your water heater or plumbing. Replace the water heater if you notice severe rust, damage to the system or it does not work effectively.

Fixing problems with your plumbing improves your ability to sell a home without delays. Even a small change, like fixing a leak, gives your buyer confidence in the house. Do not wait until the inspection to repair obvious problems and be aware that some issues may still arise during the inspection. You can also get an inspection before listing the property to ensure that you understand all of the potential problems and have an opportunity to repair an issue with your plumbing before you sell the house.

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Kitchen Plumbing Maintenance 

To request a service appointment with Always Plumbing & Heating, give us a call at 780-489-8118 or contact us online.

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