Top Tips for Increasing Water Pressure in Your Chardon, Ohio, Home

If you're dealing with weak showers and faucets, you'd benefit from knowing how to increase your water pressure in your home. As the trusted provider of plumbing repair services in Chardon, OH, our team at Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co. can help you keep your water pressure at the perfect level. From Canfield Drive to Lost Pond Parkway, we're passionate about delivering quality plumbing solutions to every Chardon home.



How To Test Your Home's Water Pressure in Chardon

You should aim for a water pressure between 40 and 70 psi. Anything below 40 can't meet your needs, while anything above 80 can cause damage to your appliances and fixtures. Where to aim for within that range largely depends on personal preference.

How can you measure your home's water pressure? Find a spigot outside, connect a pressure gauge, and turn on the water. Measure the pressure when no other appliances or fixtures are running.

Best Ways To Improve Your Water Pressure

Did you get a low-pressure reading and now wonder how to increase your water pressure in your home in Chardon? First, check with your neighbors to determine whether they have the same problem. If they do, you might have a problem in the neighborhood you can't solve with home water pressure solutions.

Open Your Main Valve

Opening your main water valve is among the easiest home water pressure tips to adjust your water pressure. You can open your main water valve partially, which significantly affects the water pressure throughout your home. If you find it open only a fraction, you can easily increase the flow.

Check for Leaks and Clogs

Leaks and clogs can reduce your water pressure but for two different reasons. Blockages act as flow restrictors and don't allow the water to travel through the pipes as quickly. Leaks divert some of the water so that less of it reaches your destination.

Low water pressure provides an early indication you need a pipe inspection. If you have a clog and don't clear it, it will eventually create a leak.

Clean and Replace Fixtures

If you have hard water, it can leave mineral deposits on your faucet or shower head. Have you ever seen the water spray in an unusual direction? The sediment blocks the holes and restricts or modifies the flow.

Consider replacing older fixtures in your Chardon home. The new one will last a long time and won't have any buildup to affect it. You can also clean the faucet by soaking it in vinegar to dissolve the mineral deposits.

Adjust the Water Pressure Regulators

If you're wondering how to increase your water pressure in your home, locate your home's pressure-reducing valve. You can usually find it on the exterior wall near the water meter.

Even a minor adjustment to the pressure regulator can affect your water pressure. Make minor plumbing adjustments and test your pressure after each one so you get the perfect flow rate. To increase your pressure, turn the screw on the valve clockwise.

Install a Pressure Booster

Pressure-boosting systems are pumps that can enhance the water pressure in your home. If you have a problem with the city water supply, this may offer the only viable solution. You'll need a certified plumber to install these systems.

Drain Your Water Heater

If you notice a lack of pressure only when you use hot water, the problem may derive from your water heater. Hard water causes sediment to build up in your tank, which restricts the flow of hot water. You may also notice your heated water runs out more quickly than usual.

Inspect Your Pipes

Old, damaged, and corroded pipes can reduce your water pressure. If you've tried the easy ways of increasing your water pressure and still have a problem, you'll need a plumber to inspect your pipes.

If they find significant damage, they may need to replace your pipes. This does more than improve water pressure. Your water will taste fresher, your drains won't back up as much, and you won't have to worry about water damage from leaks.

Caring for Your Home's Pipes

In addition to wondering how to increase your water pressure in your home, you might be curious about how to care for your pipes and prevent this issue in the first place.

Drain Vigilance

Clogged drains remain one of the most common causes of low water pressure. To help keep your drains clear, you should stay vigilant about what you send down them. Never send the following substances down your sink, toilet, or shower:

• Products frequently marketed as flushable (certain wet wipes)
• Coffee grounds and egg shells
• Hair and soap scum (use a drain catcher)
• Grease and oil
• Pasta and rice
• Dental floss
• Fibrous food like celery and fruit peels
• Bones and fruit pits

You should also never use a chemical drain cleaner to clear your drains. These products can corrode your pipes, eventually causing leaks and lowering water pressure.

Regular Maintenance

To keep your pipes and drains in peak condition, schedule annual maintenance. During a maintenance appointment, a professional plumber will check the quality of your pipes, clean your drains, and identify minor problems before they become serious. Annual maintenance remains one of the smartest investments you can make because it saves you money on major repairs and helps you avoid water damage.

Soft Water Systems

Apart from clogged drains, you can blame sediment buildup for a large percentage of your water pressure issues. When you install a whole-home water softener, you prevent most sediment from accruing.

This can keep your water pressure at the perfect level and extend the life of your pipes and systems like your water heater. You'll get your money's worth in the long term.

Schedule Plumbing Maintenance and Repairs in Chardon, Ohio

Now that you know how to increase your water pressure in your home, you'll know when you should call Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co. We understand all the signs of bad plumbing pipes and always offer customized plumbing solutions for a competitive price. We've served Chardon residents for over 60 years.

Contact us to schedule an appointment today.