Did you know that your kitchen sink water gushes like a firehose but that when you take a bath upstairs, you only get a tiny drop of water?
Maybe you feel like you don’t have enough water pressure on certain days and you worry about your water bill the next day. Normal water pressure differences between the first and the second floors are common. However, there are ways to improve the water pressure in your upstairs bathroom so you get the spa treatment that you deserve.
The fluctuations in the overall water pressure throughout your house are an abnormality that must be addressed immediately.
How to deal with low water pressure in the upstairs
Water Pressure Restrictors for Faucets
Many kitchen and bathroom hardware items have a water pressure limiter built in. They are designed to limit the flow of water from a faucet head in order to reduce water consumption. Although they are noble in their goal, they can make it difficult to use your faucet or shower, especially if you have low water pressure.
This can be fixed by removing the restriction from your faucet heads. Remove the faucet heads, regardless of whether they are your sink faucet or shower head, and find the rubber piece against the faucet’s opening.
To remove the rubber, you can use your finger and tweezers. Then screw the faucet head back into place. You can test it to determine if the water pressure has improved. You may need to do some other tests if it doesn’t.
Water pressure is too low
Water flows through pipes and loses pressure because of friction. It loses a little pressure for every foot of pipe that it takes to bring water through your home.
Because the water is more likely to flow through the pipes, it makes sense to have your upstairs water pressure a bit lower than downstairs. Call a plumber in Long Beach, CA for assistance in testing and possibly adjusting your water pressure regulator.
Pipe buildup
A buildup of dirt and other debris in your pipes can cause low water pressure upstairs. You can clean the faucet heads if the buildup is found. You can simply remove the faucet head and blast it with hot water. Next, scrub it with a brush to remove any debris. Finally, soak it overnight in household vinegar.
Test your water pressure by reattaching the shower-head. To resolve the problem, contact a Long Beach plumber to assess the situation.
The House’s Water Pressure Changes Over Time
High Use of the Same Water Line
Your neighbors and you may share a waterline depending on the regulations of your city. You can check with your neighbors if you notice fluctuations in your water pressure.
One person could be filling up a swimming pool or running a car wash with their hose. Your home’s water pressure may be affected if one of your neighbors uses a lot of water. Your water pressure will return to normal once the neighbors are done.
Faulty Pressure Regulating Valve
Sometimes, a problem with your pressure regulator valve can cause water pressure to fluctuate or trickle down over time. You should call a plumber to check your valve if you notice a gradual decrease in water pressure or if you hear hammering/vibrating sounds from your water supply.
Water Supply in the City
Random fluctuations in your home’s water pressure could indicate a problem with the city’s water supply.
You could have a blockage in your water line, or an outage. This issue can be reported to the city or a plumber will come to assess the situation.
Pipes and Old Pipes: Buildup
As pipes age, more buildup can occur inside them. Sometimes, the buildup comes from mineral deposits in your drinking water. Sometimes, the buildup can be caused by natural corrosion. This issue should be addressed by a plumber so your pipes can be cleaned properly or replaced.