The Pressure is On

By Guest Blogger Ed Allen

Just the other day as I was in the bathroom, I started to realize as I had been doing subconsciously for the past 2 months, that there wasn’t much pressure when flushing.  My thought was,    “I hope there isn’t a major leak somewhere in the pipes.”  So I did a little research on this matter and found some interesting facts.

Experiencing a slow flushing toilet

Actually this is a very common problem in many households. In general there are a couple of potential solutions you can use to solve this problem.  Typically there are three reasons why this is occurring:

1.      There is a partial obstruction in the line.

2.      There is a leak somewhere in the system. 

3.      Your home or neighborhood has persistently low pressure. 

So let’s begin with what plumbers call the “Bucket Flush”. Self-explanatory, I know, yet surprisingly effective. Taking a full bucket of cold water, pour it rapidly into your toilet bowl while flushing.  Try to avoid overflowing the bowl.  If the water still flushes slowly, then you know you have a more serious clog that needs to be removed.  If the bucket method does the trick, you probably need to raise the water level in the tank. You can do this by adding a brick.  Ideally, the water level should be about an inch below the overflow valve in the tank.

Removing the clog

The first step is to use a funnel cup plunger.  If the clog is near the drain this may be all that’s needed.

Second, if the plunger does not do the trick you may need a plumbers snake or auger. The snake or auger should be able to reach the clog. As the snake breaks up the debris it will then restore your flushing power.

You should also take the time to clean your ports. The ports are located just beneath the rim. To clean out your ports is a simple procedure. You can use a wire hanger to insert into each hole clearing the way for the water to rush out. If none of these methods work, then you might have a clog that is located yet deeper in your plumbing. It is also a possibility that you may have a leak somewhere in your plumbing as well. This would be the time to call the professionals in to tackle a more in-depth problem.

Low water pressure...

Yes Virginia, there is such a thing as low water pressure, either to an individual home or in some cases to an entire neighborhoods.  Particularly in older neighborhoods, where pipes and water mains collect scale, branches and roots intrude and other forms of partial blockages can reduce the overall pressure, there is a solution: pressure booster pumps.  People on well water and other situations that cause low pressure can benefit greatly from these devices.  If your psi is at least 40 psi, a booster pump can increase pressure significantly.

High water pressure...

It’s quite possible that your water pressure has been set to high without knowing it. There are some telltale signs that may indicate that your water pressure may need adjusting.

1.      If have noticed that your pipes are making a banging noise as you turn on your faucet.

2.      When turning on a faucet, if the water comes chugging out before you have a steady stream this may indicate that your water pressure is too high.

Know your water pressure

It is extremely important that you know the water pressure in your home. High pressure can do lot of damage to many things in your home, starting with your water heater. Your home owners insurance will not cover this if they determine high water pressure was the cause. High pressure can also cause your pipes to wear out prematurely and even rupture or start leaking. Your water pressure should be set at 80psi. There are pressure reducing valves you can have installed to regulate the psi.  This kind of preventative maintenance will not only make your appliances and pipes last years longer, it will also provide you with peace of mind.

When it comes to enjoying all the modern comforts that modern plumbing can provide, why put yourself under pressure when problems with water flow rear their ugly heads.  Call a plumbing professional to determine the best way to solve your water pressure issues today.

The professionals at Aldridge and Sons Plumbing can help homeowners and business owners solve all their plumbing issues quickly and efficiently.  For more information, go to http://plumbers-jacksonville-fl.com