Why Low Water Pressure Could Mean It's Time to Repipe

Low water pressure can make showers weak, faucets slow, and everyday tasks such as washing dishes or doing laundry take longer. The cause can be as simple as a partially closed valve or a clogged fixture, but pressure problems throughout the house can point to deteriorating pipes.

When older pipes are corroded, restricted, or developing repeated leaks, replacing them can restore water flow and remove damaged sections of piping.

What Is Considered Low Water Pressure?

Residential water pressure commonly falls between 40 and 60 psi. Pressure below 40 psi is considered low in many homes.

Check how many fixtures are affected. Weak flow from one faucet or shower can indicate a problem at that fixture. Low water pressure in your house across several fixtures can indicate a problem with the main supply, valves, leaks, or piping.

What Causes Low Water Pressure

Before considering pipe replacement, a plumber needs to identify what is restricting the water flow.

Corroded Pipes

Older metal pipes can corrode internally. As corrosion builds inside the pipe, the opening available for water becomes narrower and flow at faucets and fixtures can drop.

Galvanized piping is still found in some older Seattle homes. When corrosion has spread throughout these pipes, cleaning a faucet or replacing a single section will not address restrictions elsewhere in the system.

Mineral Buildup

Mineral deposits can collect inside pipes, aerators, and showerheads and restrict water flow. If the problem is limited to one fixture, cleaning or replacing the affected component can restore normal flow without replacing the home's piping.

Plumbing Leaks

A leaking supply pipe allows water to escape before it reaches your fixtures. Depending on the location and severity of the leak, you may notice reduced pressure along with damp areas, water stains, or an unexplained increase in water use.

Partially Closed Valves

Check that the home's main water valve is fully open. A partially closed valve restricts the amount of water entering the plumbing system and can create weak flow throughout the house.

Water Supply Issues

A sudden pressure drop does not always originate inside the home. Work on the municipal water system or another supply issue can temporarily affect water pressure. If neighboring homes have the same problem, the home's pipes may not be the cause.

When Low Water Pressure Indicates It's Time to Repipe

Whole home repiping can correct low pressure when deteriorated pipes are restricting water flow throughout the plumbing system.

Older galvanized pipes with widespread internal corrosion can restrict flow at several fixtures. Recurring leaks and repeated pipe repairs indicate that deterioration is affecting multiple areas of the system.

Discolored water can be another concern when corrosion inside older metal pipes is the source. If several of these problems occur together, replacing deteriorated piping addresses the system rather than continuing to repair individual sections.

What Are the Benefits of Repiping?

The results depend on the condition of the old plumbing and the problems it was causing. When restricted or deteriorated pipes are responsible, replacement can provide several benefits:

• Improved water pressure: New piping restores the internal pipe diameter when corrosion or buildup was restricting flow.
• Better water quality: Replacing corroded metal piping can eliminate discoloration that originates inside those pipes.
• Fewer leaks: Removing deteriorated piping reduces the number of weak or corroded sections that can develop leaks.
• Updated plumbing: New piping can be a useful selling point for a home that previously had aging or deteriorated plumbing.
• Lower repair costs: Replacing a failing system can reduce the need to keep repairing recurring leaks and damaged pipe sections.

The first step is confirming why the pressure is low. Jafco's plumbing services can trace low pressure to a fixture, valve, supply line, or restrictions throughout the home's piping.

If deteriorated pipes are restricting water flow throughout your Seattle home, Jafco can assess the plumbing and determine what needs to be replaced.