How to Fix Low Water Pressure Issues in Your Home

Friday, March 13th, 2020

Is low water pressure an issue in your home? It is for many people in Oro Valley. The causes of low water pressure vary, but the good news is that most of the causes of low water pressure are easily fixable. Keep reading to learn more about why low water pressure happens and what can be done to fix the problem quickly.

Sediment and Debris

Have you noticed low water pressure in just one or two fixtures? When it’s not a whole-house issue, the culprit is often sediment or debris buildup. These particles can accumulate inside pipes, but can also buildup on faucet and shower heads. When buildup gets to a point, it starts to block water from getting through.

The best way to fix this problem is to rinse the faucet or shower head with white vinegar. You can spray the fixture and use an old toothbrush to brush away the debris. To remove stubborn buildup, either remove the faucet or shower hear and soak it in vinegar for several hours or fill a plastic bag with vinegar and attach it to the fixture with a rubber band. Both of these methods should loosen the deposits enough to make it easier to clean the fixture.

High Water Usage in the Neighborhood

Have you noticed low water pressure problems only at certain times during the day? In some cases, when neighbors use a lot of water at the same time, it can have an impact on water pressure. This is an issue that needs to be addressed by your municipal water supply. Give them a call and let them know what’s going on. Unless someone alerts them, they won’t know there’s a problem.

Valve Issues

Another reason for low water pressure is a partially closed main shut-off valve. This is the valve that controls all the water coming into the home. If you were testing the valve as part of your preventive maintenance routine, you might have forgotten to open it all the way. This can restrict water flow.

Does your water line have a pressure-reducing valve installed on it? Some homes have this valve to manage high water pressure issues. If you have this on the line, call a plumber in Oro Valley to take a look at the settings. Adjustments sometimes need to be made to get water pressure just right.

Water Leaks

In some cases, the issue is a leaky pipe.If just one fixture is affected, the leak is probably coming from a crack or tiny hole just before the water gets to the fixture. The leak allows some water to flow through, but not all. When it’s a whole-house issue, the leak is probably in the main water line that buried in your yard. In either case, you need to call a plumber for leak detection services. Finding the leak as soon as possible will prevent other damage.

At Oro Valley Plumber & Drain Pros, we’re here for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When you’re having plumbing problems that make it hard to use the water in your home, call us. We’ll get to the bottom of the problem ASAP

5 Things You Should Never Put Down Your Garbage Disposal

Thursday, February 13th, 2020

Many kitchens have garbage disposals. As your friendly Oro Valley plumbers, we want to educate you on what not to put down this handy kitchen appliance. Every day, we help people fix jammed and broken disposals caused by improper usage.

Before you use your disposal next, make sure you know what NOT to put in it.

Grease and Cooking Fats

Even the smallest amount of grease and fat can cause serious problems for your disposal. When grease cools, it hardens. Small particles of grease can get in the disposal and jam the blades. In some cases, the grease makes its way past the disposal and hardens in the pipes causing water and food to back up.

Coffee Grounds

You might think putting coffee grounds in the disposal isn’t a big deal, but think about what those grounds do when they get wet. Do they dissolve? No, they expand and get thicker.

Instead of putting coffee grounds in the disposal, why not use them as plant fertilizer. If you have a garden or indoor plants, spread the used coffee grounds in the dirt.

Pasta

Like grease, pasta hardens as it cools. If you have left over bits of noodles in your garbage disposal, they will harden and cause the blades to jam. If a few noodles get into the disposal, don’t worry. Run cold water through the disposal and turn it on. Let the water and disposal run for a minute or two to make sure all food particles have been rinsed down the drain.

Fibrous Foods

Most vegetables can safely be disposed of in the garbage disposal. However, there are a few leafy greens that you’re better off tossing in the trash. The following vegetables should always be thrown away:

  • Kale
  • Onions
  • Asparagus
  • Celery
  • Lettuce
  • Chard
  • Corn husks

These vegetables have stringy parts that can wrap around the disposal’s blades and cause jams.

Bits of Glass or Metal

Most people don’t purposely put metal or glass in their disposals. Usually what happens is that a glass or dish breaks while a person is doing the dishes and bits of glass get in the disposal. If this happens to you, release the water and carefully remove any visible glass pieces. Then, use a wet/dry vacuum to suck out any glass, porcelain, or metal parts from the disposal before turning it on.

Garbage Disposal Repair and Replacement Service in Oro Valley, AZ

At Oro Valley Plumber and Drain Pros, we’re here for you when you need garbage disposal repair or replacement. How can we help you with your kitchen plumbing needs today?

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