Low Water Pressure in Decatur is Problematic
Why is low water pressure in Decatur an ongoing problem? Standard plumbing problems in old homes usually involve low water pressure. Still, low water pressure can happen in new homes too. Low water pressure can come on abruptly or gradually get worse with time, dependent on the cause. Whatever the cause, low water pressure in Decatur makes life difficult, so fixing the problem is a priority.
What Commonly Causes Low Water Pressure?
Low water pressure has a couple of likely explanations.
- A water main break in Decatur can decrease water pressure – this is likely if your neighbors also suddenly have low water pressure.
- A loss of pressure also can happen if you have a leaking pipe in your home. to check for leaks, turn off all taps, check your water meter and wait two hours without using any water. If the water meter reading changes, you most likely have a plumbing leak.
- Another probable cause is a build-up of minerals and sediment inside your plumbing system. When minerals corrode pipes and build up inside faucet aerators and showerheads, low water pressure can result. The build-up reduces water flow, resulting in low pressure at the tap.
When Do I Need to Boil Water?
For DeKalb County including the city of Decatur, news of an active Boil Water Advisory is all too common. This is due to frequent water main breaks due to deteriorating county pipes. What happens is large diameter water main breaks occur often. When this happens, the water pressure coming into homes and businesses across Decatur drops substantially. Why is this low water pressure in Decatur dangerous? The explanation is simple, all be it gross. When water pressure falls to extremely low levels approaching zero pressure things get ugly. At zero water pressure, there is the potential for serious health hazards. In places, with zero water pressure, untreated water can into the water distribution system. What this means is that the water out of your tap can be full of disease-causing contaminates. Below is a typical DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management Boil Water Advisory.
DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management, in an abundance of caution, is issuing a Boil Water Advisory for the entire system. In order to protect the public from a potential health hazard, all customers that have experienced water outages and/or low water pressures are advised to “boil” all water prior to use for drinking, cooking, or preparing baby food. The water should be boiled for at least one minute after reaching a rolling boil. Customers should continue to boil their water until they are notified that the water system has been restored to full operation, and that the microbiological quality of the water in the distribution system is safe for human consumption. If you have any questions, you may contact 770-270-6243 or check www.dekalbcountyga.gov for updates.
For more details, read the complete boiling water guidelines for Dekalb County.
What Can I Do to Fix Low Water Pressure Issues?
If you believe build-up is the issue, begin with the aerators and showerheads where water pressure is low. Unscrew the end of the faucet tap to clean it. Steep the aerator in white vinegar overnight to release mineral build-up. After soaking, use a scrub brush to remove all scale and mineral deposits. Repeat the process with dirty showerheads as well to up the water flow from the shower. Other low water pressure problems in Decatur usually require a professional plumber to return water pressure.
How Can I Avoid Water Pressure Problems?
Installing a water filtration system helps keep minerals from building up in your Decatur home plumbing system. Checking pipes regularly for leaks and repairing leaks at once also will support good water pressure.
When Do I Need to Call a Plumber?
Call a plumber when your water pressure weakens abruptly for no obvious reason. A pipe leak may be the reason. On the other hand, a gradual reduction in water pressure is typically mineral build-up and corrosion. Whether you have a plumbing pipe leak or a pipe corrosion problem, a plumber can replace or repair the affected plumbing. Call Anthony Wimpey Plumbing at 404-948-3720 to fix stubborn low water pressure plumbing problems without damaging your pipes.