A New Homeowner’s Guide: Facing Low Water Pressure—What to Know

Going from renting an apartment to owning a house is a big achievement for any individual! After years of saving up, boosting your credit score, choosing a mortgage, and finding the right property, you’re finally taking that major step in becoming a homeowner. It must feel like a dream come true! Owning a home is more than just ticking a box on your checklist; it is the gateway to lasting happiness and long-term financial success—but only if you know how to approach it! This is a transformative experience that influences every facet of your life. Although having a home is something to be celebrated, don’t be blinded by your shiny front door key; there’s still a lot you need to know to be prepared.

The Value of Ownership

Opening the front door to your own home must feel gratifying, but it’s more than just turning the knob—the myriad of new responsibilities will also greet you as you enter your home. The shift from being a tenant to homeowner is a significant change for anyone. After all, your duties no longer involve just paying for utilities and rent; everything your landlord used to take care of is now up to you! To have a house that you take pleasure in, you’ll have to keep up with things you may not want to do. Keep in mind these responsibilities to uphold for happy homeownership:

Make Your Mortgage Payments and Other Bills

As a property owner, you will also need to pay for many other things, such as your mortgage, property taxes, and utility bills. If you don’t want the government to put a lien on your house, you need to be financially responsible to always keep up with the required payments.

Keep Up With Maintenance and Repairs

Your house isn’t going to take care of itself—whether it becomes a wonderland or a wasteland is up to you! You need to perform maintenance tasks to avoid costly repairs. Home maintenance varies every season, but your most important duties include:
  1. Checking HVAC System Filters: You must change the filter at least every three months. It’s recommended to check your filters if you run your HVAC system six months to year-round, have a pet, have a respiratory condition, or live in a windy area.
  2. Inspect Smoke and Carbon-Monoxide Detectors: An estimated 358,500 home fires occur every year in the U.S., according to The Zebra. Unfortunately, among the most common causes of fires is one reason that could have been easily avoided: faulty smoke detectors. Always be prepared for the worst! Change the batteries of your detectors every six months and check if they’re working well.
  3. Check the Water Pressure: Testing your water pressure at home will help you identify and fix any issues that might worsen. Determine your home water pressure by using a pressure gauge. If your water pressure is above 80 PSI or below 40 PSI, you need to hire a reliable local plumber right away!

Why Your Plumbing System Matters

Inspecting your plumbing doesn’t sound fun, but it is essential to your health and safety! Your house’s plumbing system is a vital part of the home. Not having access to clean drinking and bathing water is such an inconvenience. To ensure that water comes in and out of your house properly, you need to reach out to a professional plumbing company to help you with plumbing maintenance and repair as soon as signs of trouble show up.

No Water Is Coming Out—What Happened?

The Environmental Agency (EPA) reported that the average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water a day. Almost everything you do at home involves water, whether it comes to showering, cooking, washing clothes, or maintaining the lawn. Water is crucial to keep the house functioning properly, but if no water comes out of your faucets, it becomes a big hassle. Here are some possible reasons why your house is undergoing low water pressure:
  1. Issues With Your Water Supplier: Don’t turn valves and knock pipes just yet! Are you sure the problem only involves your house? If your neighbors are also experiencing low water pressure, contact your water supplier. They might be working on a water supply problem, so you’d just need to wait for them to finish up their maintenance and repairs.
  2. Too Many Appliances Using Water: When numerous appliances use water at once, it could cause low water pressure as well. You will most likely notice the problem when at least three water-using appliances or fixtures are running at once. To prevent this, simply create a schedule. Choose a time for every task instead of all at once.
  3. Main Shutoff Valve Is in the Wrong Position: The main shutoff valve is the gateway for water to enter your home. If the valve isn’t fully open, it will limit the water passing through and cause low water pressure. The main shutoff valve is usually located in the basement or on the outside wall of your utility area. If a wheel-like handle controls the main shutoff valve, fully turn it clockwise—but if it is a lever handle, adjust it so that it becomes parallel with the pipe direction.
  4. Water Meter Valve Is at an Angle: Your meter valve should be right by your water meter. If the handle is parallel with the supply line, the valve is open. On the other hand, if the handle is at an angle, the water flow is being altered! Never tamper with the water meter valve. Instead, contact your local water department, so they can give the following steps to take to solve your water pressure concerns.
  5. Malfunctioning Water Pressure Regulator: Your water pressure regulator controls the water flow. The water pressure in your house could get very low once the pressure regulator wears out or malfunctions. When faced with this problem, don’t replace the water pressure regulator on your own; leave this job to a local emergency plumber to handle instead.

Conclusion

Widespread water pressure that affects the whole house may indicate a serious problem. If your home has low water pressure, inspect your pipes for any issues immediately. Not everything can be done by yourself; if the problem is too big for you to handle, ask assistance from a local emergency plumbing company right away. Are you experiencing low water pressure in your home’s plumbing and don’t know what to do to fix it? Don’t worry—Core Plumbing can help you with your issue! We’re the best San Diego plumbers offering locals 24-hour residential and commercial plumbing repair, replacement, and remodels. Book an appointment online!