It’s frustrating when you go to wash your hands and only a trickle comes out of the faucet. When there’s no water pressure for your morning shower, it’s hard to get clean. Life in the kitchen gets tricky when there’s no water pressure going to the ice maker or dishwasher – and if your low water pressure means you can’t flush the toilet, there’s definitely a problem!
Low water pressure in NYC can have several causes. The first, large issue that can’t be overlooked is the water supply to your building. If there has been a water main break nearby or other disruption to the municipal water system, this can result in nearby buildings have low or no water pressure. Once those concerns have been addressed by the property authorities, water pressure should return to normal levels.
If there have been no nearby water main breaks or other municipal water concerns, the cause of low water pressure is in your building. You will need a plumber to help you identify the cause of the low water pressure. Blockages in the water supply lines can be a cause, as can a shut off valve being partially closed when it should be fully open.
Another cause of low water pressure, and one you want to be especially aware of if the change in water pressure has occurred suddenly, is a leak in your home’s pipes. When a pipe is leaking, the resulting available water pressure drops. A leak doesn’t have to be huge to cause low water pressure – and even small leaks can cause damage to the building as well as a pricey spike in the water bill! Pipe leaks are more frequent after sudden cold snaps or short bursts of freezing weather. Your NYC plumber can help, whether the pipes are still frozen or if they’ve thawed and are now leaking from compromised points. Don’t delay: while low water pressure can be annoying, a significant leak can cause expensive damage to your property.