Are you sick of taking a nice hot shower for it to only have the water pressure of a light drizzle? Or does your toilet not "entirely" flush everything away? Well, today's the day we get that problem sorted, so you don't have to worry about anyone using the bathroom after you.
Tools Needed:
Crescent wrench
Pressure gauge
Test the water pressure around your house and identify if only one fixture has poor pressure or the entire house. Remember also to check the hose taps.
Find your water meter and pressure valves.- When built, most new houses are installed with a pressure reduction valve. These valves are located near the water meter and can sometimes be found in the ground or on the side of your house.
Before you adjust anything, we need to have an accurate pressure reading of your home. Attach a pressure gauge to a hose spigot and note down the reading.
Next, we need to locate the pressure regulator, which should sit on top or next to the water main and look like a bell shape.
After that, you should see adjustment screws on top of the regulator that raises and lowers the water pressure. Before adjusting them, you will need to loosen the locknut below it — Losen this by a half turn with a crescent wrench.
Now, to adjust the pressure regulator, turn the adjustment screw either counterclockwise to lower the pressure or clockwise to raise it — only go one revolution at a time to keep track of the adjustments. Each time you do this, get a new pressure reading with your pressure gauge and stop once you have reached the desired level.
And you've done it, great job!
If your pressure is still off then maybe it’s time to call a plumber. We are a Brisbane-based business that are happy to help with any plumbing issue you have, get in touch with North Lakes Plumbing for 24/7 support. Call us day or night for your plumbing emergencies!
Call now : (07) 3491 8489
After-hours emergencies: 0418 797 940
Here are a few handy tips to remember:
Aged hot water systems accumulate rust and sediment due to internal corrosion. The particles in the water settle at the tank's base, and they may enter the hot water line, causing portal blockages at valves or fixtures inside.
The water line can be installed in galvanised steel pipework in older properties. This type of material corrodes from the inside with rust and scale, causing significant pressure loss as it builds up. The only solution is to repipe sections or the entire house with new plastic or copper pipework.
It's common for debris to come through the main water supply and block the restrictors in the back of shower heads and tap spouts. Remove the shower bracket/arm from the wall to expose the back, and carefully change out the coloured flow disk (if one has been installed).