Low Water Pressure can be caused by many varied conditions. Many of these conditions can be easily checked by a handy property owner, but usually a licensed plumber or a water main contractor is a better bet. Low water pressure can be due to a water line problem, inside plumbing problem, or a simple check of the house plumbing. The first step is to determine if low water pressure is throughout the entire property, or in only certain area of the premises.
The following are various steps to take if you suffer from low water pressure:
Check all water line valves in the house: There are typically two main control valves for the water line. One valve before the meter and one valve after the meter. Make sure both of these valves are open. If low water pressure is only in one area of the premises check for valves for that section of the building. There may be a partially closed or broken valve for a particular plumbing fixture. Typically there is a separate valve for hot and cold water under each sink. For more information on how to close a water main valve visit this water main valve link.
Check size and type of inside house plumbing: If any inside house plumbing is galvanized pipe, it could just be one fitting, that could be the sole cause of low water pressure. Any easy way to test if a pipe is galvanized is with a magnet; galvanized pipe is the only magnetic water main material. Typically the inside plumbing of the main line of a one or two family house is 3/4″ or 1″.¬† Branch lines are typically 1/2″ or 3/4″. Larger properties should be “sized out” by a professional licensed plumber. You can check on a plumbers license status by using this water main and sewer resources link.
Check type and size of water main: If there is low water pressure throughout a property it is easy to check on the size and type of a water main. The size of the water main is the same size as the main control valve; the size of the valve is imprinted on the valve itself. Typically¬† a 1″ service is adequate for a one family house, and an 1 1/4″ service is required for a two family house. Larger properties should be sized out by a professional. Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service performs this service free of charge. For more information about water main materials visit this water main materials link. Please note that if a water service is made out of galvanized pipe it should be replaced by a water main contractor regardless of the size, as galvanized pipe corrodes and restricts the pipe opening.
Check the water meter: Sometimes grit, dirt, or a foreign object can obstruct the inside of a water meter. To check a water meter you do need a licensed plumber because of the skill level required and because the seal on the meter will be broken.  A bypass can be installed when the meter is removed; then the property should be re-checked for water pressure with the bypass installed. If the water pressure is then adequate, the meter is the culprit and no water line repair work is required. Sometimes a plumber can clean the meter out, other times the water meter may have to be replaced. In either case a break seal permit will have to filed with the NYC DEP so they know to reseal the meter.
Those are the four basic steps to determine the cause of low water pressure. It is very unusual for a mechanical device to be required in the outer Boroughs of NYC to solve a water pressure problem. In Manhattan where buildings are much taller, pumps and water tanks are much more prevalent in order to supply adequate water pressure to a property . Now if you have a water main leak, that’s another story!
About Joseph L. Balkan Inc.
Balkan Plumbing is the largest sewer contractor and water main contractor in NYC, providing sewer and water main service throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. We are licensed, bonded, and insured fully as a sewer contractor to perform any type of work on a water main or sewer. A family run water main and sewer  contractor in continuous operation for over 50 years, our 10 year guarantee means we continue to stand by our work after the installation is completed.
We are expertly equipped, from our 48,000 square foot facility to dozens of trucks, heavy moving equipment, pneumatics, and backhoes. For all your sewer , catch basin, fire hydrant, manhole, fire sprinkler service, and any type of water line or sewer contractor work contact Balkan Plumbing today, the most trusted water main contractor and sewer contractor in NYC.
Joseph L. Balkan Inc.
130-01 Jamaica Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11418 | Phone: (718) 849-0900 | Espanol (718) 849-0900 | Fax: (718) 849-9570
www.balkanplumbing.com
Hello, i know this is not exactly your topic “Don’t Get High Blood Pressure Over Low Water Pressure | Balkan Plumbing”, but i have a blog using the wordpress platform as well and i’m having issues with my comments displaying. is there a setting i am forgetting? maybe you could help me out? thank you.