Under Pressure!

As a premiere San Diego plumbing company for over 30 years, we have encountered all manner of plumbing issues, including pressure problems. Residents and business owners often call us because they experience water pressure that is either too low or too high.

There are many symptoms of pressure difficulties. If the pressure as localized at a fixture, then you can focus on the fixture as the likely cause.

• Showerhead: Does your showerhead have low pressure while water flows from the tub spout? It could be clogged with hard water deposits. This can be solved by cleaning or replacing the showerhead.
• Bathroom Faucet: If there is little water pouring from your lavatory faucet, the first thing to check is the aerator. Remove the aerator and if the water then increases in pressure, try cleaning or replacing the aerator. If that des not solve the pressure issues, the problem could be in the faucet itself, the water flex lines or the angle stops (water shut offs).  You can narrow the problem by isolating each of these. However, you may want to contact a professional San Diego plumber before testing your shutoff valves if they look old or have not been tested. They can burst easily and cause more than pressure problems.
• Toilet: Slow filling toilets are a common occurrence. Each San Diego plumber at Bill Howe is equipped to diagnose and determine the cause and solution. In most cases, though, you can check the problem before contact a professional. To check f the problem is at the fill valve, shut off your water (but make sure your angle stop is in good condition first) and disconnect the upper flex line at the toilet. Point it towards a bucket and turn it on. If you have pressure going to the fill valve, then replacement is probably your best option.
• Kitchen Faucet: Much like your bathroom faucet, your kitchen faucets also have aerators that can become clogged or need replacement. If you have a pull out type of faucet, the aerator can be found where the wand head is attached. If cleaning or replacing the aerator does not solve your pressure problem, then having a professional check the faucet would be a great next step.

However, if you are encountering pressure fluctuations throughout your home, you may want to contact a San Diego plumbing company that can determine the problem. At Bill Howe Plumbing, we offer free estimates to change pressure reducing valves and to check your homes’ pressure.

For more information about Bill Howe Plumbing, Inc. or to schedule with an expert San Diego plumber, contact us at 1-800-Bill-Howe (1-800-245-5469).