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?
You might find that you have very high water pressure on some days and low water pressure on other days. Water pressure variations 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. This article will discuss the causes of inconsistencies, fluctuations or a lack of water pressure in your house and how you can fix them.
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 cause problems when you use your faucet or shower, especially if the water pressure is low.
Remove the faucet heads, regardless of whether they are your sink faucet or shower head, and then look for the rubber piece that is tucked against the faucet’s opening. To remove the rubber, you can use your finger and tweezers. Then screw the faucet head back into place. Ultimately, it will improve the water pressure. You may need to do some other tests if it doesn’t.
Too low water pressure
Water flows through your pipe 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 Long Beach plumber for assistance.
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 you find the buildup.
Take off the faucet head and scrub it with hot water. Next, soak it in household vinegar overnight. Test your water pressure by reattaching the shower-head. Call a Long Beach Plumber for an assessment and a plan to fix the problem.
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 should check with your neighbors if you notice fluctuations in your water pressure. You might be seeing someone filling up a swimming pool or running a car wash in the neighborhood.
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 an issue with your pressure regulator valve can cause water pressure to fluctuate or trickle down over time. You should call a local Long Beach plumber to check your valve if you notice a gradual decrease in water pressure or a sudden drop in water pressure.
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/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 is caused by natural corrosion.
This issue should be addressed by a Long Beach plumber so your pipes can be cleaned properly.