Ask the Plumber: How can you increase water pressure?

Home Water Pressue

There are a lot of considerations when looking to increase water pressure (more than can be addressed in this email).  Some items to consider include... Do you have enough pressure at your main stop? Do you have old and clogged pipework? Is your main stop open fully?  Often the problem will appear to be a pressure issue when it is a volume or flow issue. A restriction in a line or just having a long or under sized line could be the root cause.

Check for clogged aerators at the sinks and shower heads.  Mixing clogged aerators/shower heads with a CLR is a good way to remove lime build-up.  If that fails to resovle the issue, determine the pressure for your plumbing ciruit .  Ideally, you will want to have a pressure reading above 35 psi.  An easy way to install a pressure gauge is to just install an ice making line kit with a pressure gauge affixed to the end under a sink.  Under-pressured circuits, can be resolved using a pressure tank and check valve setup. The tank will give you the flow required and the check valve will keep the flow going only into the tank or house. The incoming flow will be feeding your tank and house as the water is used, so the tank should last for a long time before you see a loss of pressure. 

Ask the Plumber: How can I reduce my water utility bill?

There are lots of ways to reduce your water consumption within your home saving you potentially hundreds of dollars annually.  Three-quarters of all the water you use in your home goes down your bathroom drains!  The biggest single water-guzzler is your toilet.

• Don’t run the tap when you are brushing your teeth, shaving, washing up and cleaning. Fill a cup or the sink with some water  and you could reduce water use for these tasks by 60 to 80 percent.

• Install faucet aerators. Standard faucet aerators can use up to 16 litres (3.5 gallons) of water per minute. Low flow faucet aerators can cut water use by half or more. They’re inexpensive, widely available at Niagara Faucets or your local  hardware/plumbing supply store, and are easy to install.

• Never use the toilet as a garbage can. Dispose of all waste chemicals, cleaners or acids at your local Household Hazardous Waste Depot.

• Try taking short showers instead of baths.