Have you ever noticed how the water in your sink is gushing out like a firehose while the water upstairs only barely gets a spray? Perhaps you find your water pressure fluctuating between high and low. You can adjust the water pressure on your upstairs shower to make it more consistent between the first- and second-floors.
The house’s water pressure fluctuations are abnormal and should be corrected immediately. This post will explain how to correct the problem.
What to Do if the Upstairs Water Pressure Is Too Low
Water Pressure Restrictors
Many bathroom and kitchen hardware items include a water pressure restrictor. To reduce water usage, they restrict water flow from faucet heads. The goal may be noble but it can make your faucet and shower experience difficult .
Take off the faucet heads. To remove the rubber you can use your finger, or tweezers. Once the rubber is removed, screw the faucet heads back in place. It is possible to test the water pressure by removing the rubber. If the test does not work, you can try one of these other tests.
Water Pressure Too Low
Water loses pressure as it flows through the pipe. Each foot of pipe required to bring water through your house loses pressure. As the water flows through the pipes more, it makes sense to have your upstairs water pressure a bit lower than downstairs. Calling a local Long Beach plumber is the best way to resolve this issue.
Pipes and Pipe Buildup
Your pipes may also be causing low water pressure upstairs. Sometimes the buildup can be found within the faucet heads, which you can easily clean yourself.
To clean the faucet heads, simply take them off and use strong water to scrub away any debris. After that, let it soak overnight in household vinegar. You can then reattach the shower-head to check if it improves your water pressure. To determine the cause, consult a local Long Beach plumber and devise a solution.
The house’s water pressure changes over time
High Use of the Same Water Line
You may have a shared waterline with your neighbors depending on your area and city regulations. You can check in on your neighbor if you are experiencing fluctuations in the water pressure in your house. Check with your neighbors to see if anyone is filling up a pool or using their hose for a local car wash.
You may notice a drop in water pressure if your neighbor is using too much water. However, once they stop using water, your water pressure should return back to normal.
Faulty Pressure Regulating – Valve
Sometimes, the water pressure in your home can fluctuate due to an issue with your pressure-regulating valve. If your water pressure is dropping slowly, suddenly dropping, or you are hearing vibrations/hammering from your water supply, a local Long Beach plumber should come to inspect it.
Water Supply Problems in Cities
You may experience random fluctuations in the home’s water pressure. This could be due to a problem with city water supply. You could have a water main obstruction or an outage. You should be able to contact a local Long Beach plumber to assess the situation.
Pipes and Old Pipes: Buildup
As pipes age and become more brittle, there is often buildup inside of them. Sometimes, mineral deposits can cause buildup in your water. Sometimes it is from natural corrosion. This problem is something you need to fix so that your pipes can be properly cleaned or replaced.