After a long day, you just want to enjoy a long, hot shower before bed. When you switch on the water, your hopes are dashed when just a trickle of water emerges.
Unfortunately, it’s fairly common to experience low water pressure in Portland, Oregon. To help you find the best solution for this problem, we’ll look at the common causes and when you need to reach out for experienced plumbing support.
Is Low Water Pressure a Minor Inconvenience or a Warning Sign?
If you’re dealing with weak water pressure in Portland, it means that something is wrong with your plumbing system. While your plumbing may not have failed yet, it can quickly turn into an emergency situation if you don’t deal with it soon. Often, this type of issue will occur because scale buildup is narrowing the pipe, there is a hidden leak, or a pressure reducing valve (PRV) needs to be replaced.
How to Diagnose Low Water Pressure
When you call our team, you’ll be asked a few questions about the issue.
One Fixture or Every Fixture? The Diagnostic First Step
First, determine if you’re dealing with low water pressure in your whole house in Portland or just one fixture. If it’s in one spot, you’re dealing with a localized problem, like a clogged aerator or broken faucet cartridge. When every fixture is experiencing low pressure, the problem likely stems from the main water line, the city’s water line, or the water meter valve.
Check Your Main Shutoff Valve Before Calling Anyone
Before you call for help, make sure your main shutoff valve is fully open. These can sometimes get closed by mistake, which can lead to low water pressure.
Talk to Your Neighbors: Is It a Portland Water Bureau Issue?
You should also ask your neighbors if they are experiencing pressure changes. If so, the Portland Water Bureau is likely the root cause.
5 Common Causes of Low Water Pressure in Portland Homes
When it comes to the main low water pressure causes in older homes, there are five reasons that we see the most often.
1. A Failing Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV)
The PRV is a brass valve on the main supply line coming into your home. Often, it is placed in a crawlspace or near your water meter. It has a diaphragm inside that can harden over the course of 7 to 12 years. When this happens, the valve can alternate between having too high and too low pressure. At this point, the best option is to just schedule a water pressure regulator replacement in Portland.
2. Corroded or Clogged Pipes: A Common Problem in Portland’s Older Homes
In older homes, corroded and clogged pipes are a leading cause. Corrosion can build up and block pipes over time. If the problem is due to older galvanized pipes, repiping may be necessary.
3. A Hidden Leak Somewhere in Your Supply Line
If water is leaking out of your pipes, it can lead to lower water pressure. You may also notice higher water bills, lush patches in your yard, mold growth, and similar indications of a leak.
4. Partially Closed or Damaged Shutoff Valves
Sometimes, a shutoff valve can get damaged or become partially closed by accident. You can quickly check your shutoff valve to see if this is the malfunction. While you can open a closed valve on your own, you should schedule professional plumbing repairs if there is a damaged shutoff valve.
5. Municipal Supply Fluctuations After Heavy Rainfall
High water usage in your neighborhood, changes after a heavy rainfall, and other fluctuations in municipal supply can all contribute to having low water pressure in Portland, Oregon.
Portland-Specific Factors Behind Low Water Pressure
When it comes to low water pressure in Portland, Oregon, there are a few local factors that increase the likelihood of having pressure-related changes.
The Age and Character of Portland’s Housing Stock
Inner Portland neighborhoods, like Concordia, Arbor Lodge, Eastmoreland, Irvington, and Ladd’s Addition, include homes that were predominantly built between the 1920s and 1950s. Because of this, they typically have galvanized steel pipes.
Over the decades, galvanized steel builds up a thick, orange-brown layer of corrosion. Because a 3/4-inch pipe now has the inner diameter of a 1/4-inch pipe, it limits the amount of water that can get through.
How Portland’s Elevation Affects Water Pressure
Certain neighborhoods are more likely to struggle with weak water pressure in Portland. In the West Hills neighborhoods of SW Heights, Bridlemile, Hillsdale, and Council Crest, the homes are significantly higher than the city’s water main infrastructure. Any home that is higher than the Portland Water Bureau Grid will naturally have a lower water pressure.
How Bull Run Watershed Water Affects Your Pipes
On the positive side, our local watershed is known for having soft water and a low mineral content. As a result, there’s less scale and mineral buildup here than in the rest of the country. However, corrosion in aging galvanized pipes still remains a problem.
What You Can Check Yourself Before Calling a Plumber
Before reaching out to a plumber in Portland, Oregon for water pressure issues, try the following DIY tips on your own first.
- Check the main shutoff valve to make sure it is fully open.
- If the pressure is low at just one fixture, try removing the shower head or aerator and soaking it in vinegar to remove scale.
- Turn off all of the fixtures in your home so that no water is running. If the meter still shows continuous water usage, you have a leak.
- Check to see if the problem occurs with hot and cold water. If only hot water is affected, the problem is related to your water heater.
How a Portland Plumber Diagnoses and Fixes Low Pressure
Once you reach out for help with water pressure problems in your Portland home, one of our plumbers will come out to perform tests and replace the faulty components.
The Pressure Gauge Test (and What Normal PSI Looks Like)
First, our plumber will test your water pressure by threading a pressure gauge through the hose valve and opening the valve. In normal conditions, the residential range should be between 40 and 80 PSI. If it is below this figure, you are likely experiencing weak water pressure in Portland. When your PSI is higher than 80, your PRV is likely failing and needs a replacement.
PRV Replacement: What’s Involved
If you need a new pressure reducing valve in Portland, the technician will start by shutting off your water supply at the water main and draining the system. Then, the technician will replace the faulty PRV with a new one and make sure the arrows are facing in the correct direction.
When Low Pressure Points to a Bigger Pipe Problem
In many cases, a new PRV will fix the issue. If it doesn’t, you may be dealing with a blockage in the main line, or the diameter of the pipe may be incorrect. For example, problems with galvanized pipe pressure in Portland can occur as corrosion builds up inside of the pipes and narrows the passage. Alternatively, the low pressure may be due to a hidden leak that is in need of repair.
When Low Water Pressure Is a Sign You Need Repiping
You may need to book a professional Portland water pressure fix if you notice low pressure and one or more of the following signs.
- Rusty or brown-colored water, indicating corrosion in the pipes
- An older home that has galvanized or polybutylene pipes
- Recurring leaks, even after you have had leaks repaired
- Banging, whistling, or clanging noises coming from your pipes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is normal water pressure for a Portland home?
A normal water pressure level is between 40 and 80 PSI.
How long does a PRV last?
In most cases, they can last up to 20 years. However, sediment and high water pressure can reduce this estimate to five years or less.
Will low water pressure fix itself?
Low water pressure issues will only go away if the root cause is resolved. If the city fixes supply issues or household demand falls, pressure levels may return to normal. However, blocked main lines, leaks, clogged aerators, and faulty PRVs must be fixed by a professional.
Boost Your Home’s Water Pressure
Having water pressure problems in a Portland home isn’t just an inconvenience. Any pressure changes indicate an underlying malfunction that needs to be inspected and repaired by a professional.
Are you tired of weak water pressure slowing down your mornings? Our licensed Portland plumbers can diagnose the cause and fix it fast, with upfront pricing and no hidden fees. Schedule your plumbing service with Central Air today. Same-day appointments available.
