What can cause a loss of water pressure?

Question

I seemed to have lost pressure in both my hot and cold water just in the past two days. We use city water, not well water. Our pipes are copper. We've noticed it in the shower and at the kitchen sink. No matter how much we turn the nozzle, not much water. Please give me some ideas of what can cause this and how to repair. (Ugh!)

Answer 1

Check the aerator on the kitchen sink and in your shower head. Small deposits build up in there and it can reduce the water to almost a trickle. Once you remove the shower head and the aerator to the kitchen faucet turn on the water and see if there is a restriction. If there is no restriction then you just have to clean or replace the aerators. When removing the shower head or the aerator in the kitchen sink use a towel or something that will minimize the scratching that can occur if you use pliers or a wrench alone. The metal to metal contact can damage the surface of your fixtures. Cleaning the aerators are as simple as rinsing them out or blowing them out with a can of compressed air.

If there is still a restriction in your water flow after removing the aerators you have to consider that the problem is either in the pipes or at the source of where your water comes into the house.

Another thing to consider is the water line that suplies your kitchen faucets and the contol valves to your showerhead. These can clog up over time with deposits and restrict water flow as well.. In either case if you remove the shower head and the aerator from the kitchen faucet you will be able to get a better idea of what is going on.

One final note remember to use some plumber's tape when putting the shower head back on to prevent leaks.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What can cause a loss of water pressure?
I seemed to have lost pressure in both my hot and cold water just in the past two days. We use city water, not well water. Our pipes are copper. We've noticed it in the shower and at the kitchen sink. No matter how much we turn the nozzle, not much water. Please give me some ideas of what...

Answer 3

You may have an underground leak, hopefully on the city side of the meter. It could be more people are using water. Even a leak in the city system away from your home can cause a loss in pressure.

Answer 4

I have a similar post out there (3 minutes before yours). I don't have any answers yet but I'll let you know if I do. Weak water pressure sucks big time! Especially when it used to be good! I feel for you...

Answer 5

A lot of the time sand and lime scale will build up in the piping. It gets stuck in the aerators of your faucets and showerheads. Just unscrew them, clean and re-install. If that doesn't work,you need to start at the water source and work your way back to find where the blockage is.

Answer 6

if its both sides couple different things if you have pressure regulator screen is probably clogged up or regulator is going bad 2nd could be calcium and lime build on faucet aerators
can remove and blow out shower head and faucets have screens remove head also can fill
plastic baggie with Clr product and attach to head with rubber band or other

Answer 7

Open and close the main wter cut off in the house do this a few times. this is where the restriction may be. You can call the water company. they may be able to check it for you at no cost.

Answer 8

has someone turned the taps down on the line that come out of the tank or the line that comes into the house? try taking the end piece of your taps off & check the screen to see if it is clogged.check the sreen for the showerhead too