Plumbing notes · any time

Sorting out pressure that is too weak or too strong

Pressure complaints come in two flavours, too little and too much, and each has a short list of suspects. Begin with the simple ones and work outward toward the street.

Call (365) 517-8536

Various pipes, planters, and leaves in an outdoor garden — From the almanac guide on water pressure problems.

Weak at one fixture

Clean the aerator or showerhead
Make sure the fixture’s own stops are fully open
Suspect a worn or scaled cartridge

Weak everywhere

Check the house valve is wide open. Old galvanized, a failing reducing valve or a service-line problem may be at fault. If neighbours share the problem, contact Halton Region.

Too strong

Thumping walls, dribbling relief valves and short-lived fill valves all hint at excess pressure. A gauge on a garden tap gives the number; a reducing valve plus an expansion tank sets it right.

One more thing

If pressure drops suddenly throughout the house, knock next door. A matching complaint there hints at a water main issue that Halton Region is already aware of. If only your house is affected, look for a partially closed valve or a leak.

Low hot-water pressure but normal cold pressure points to the water heater: a partially closed valve on the heater, sediment in the tank outlet, or a problem with the heater’s dip tube.

If pressure is low only on upper floors, the cause may be undersized piping or old galvanized that has narrowed over time. Repiping the risers can make a big difference.

Write down what you find before ringing; it speeds up diagnosis.