Yep, we definitely live in a "hard-water" area. Arizona's hard water can wreak havoc on your plumbing pipes and fixtures in no time. If you are experiencing water pressure problems, here are a few considerations...
Is the water pressure low throughout the system, or is it isolated to a specific faucet or fixture? If all the plumbing has low pressure problems, it is most likely the result of a failing or broken pressure regulator valve on your water main supply line. If you suspect this is at the root of your water pressure problems, make sure to contact a professional plumber to inspect and repair the PRV valve. Also, in the case of "high" pressure problems, it is almost always the PRV valve. High pressure can cause a multitude of other problems and leaks throughout the plumbing system, it is extremely important to remedy high pressure problems immediately to relieve the stress on your pipes and fittings.
Another culprit for low water pressure could be a hidden leak in the system somewhere that is causing the system to lose pressure. It can be a real chore to find these water leaks as many times they are
under slab or underground. Special
leak detection equipment is usually required to locate these hidden water leaks.
On the other hand, if the low pressure issue is isolated to a certain faucet (for example), there are a variety of conditions that could be causing the water flow restriction. Here are the most common causes and potential solutions for low water pressure in Arizona:
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Faulty or corroded stop valves under the sink - be careful not to brake these valves if they have not been turned for awhile. They need to be exercised from time to time by opening and closing them. Hard water minerals can build up and cause failure.
-
Supply lines from the stop valves to the fixture are damaged - Quite often these water lines become kinked, or crushed restricting water flow and making the lines more prone to clog with hard water build up. In most cases, the supply lines or entire
fixture will need to be replaced.
- Clogged Aerator - Most fixtures have a small metal screen at the mouth of the faucet which evens out the flow of water. In a hard water environment, these screens become clogged with sediment and mineral build up quite easily. This problem is usually an easy fix with a good cleaning solution like CLR or similar product.
- Faulty fixture - This doesn't happen very often, but occasionally a plumbing fixture will slip through the factory with an internal defect causing water pressure problems or complete failure. It is best to replace these fixtures rather than try and patch the product back together.
If your plumbing problems persist... make sure to contact a
professional plumber in Arizona to help remedy the situation.
