Why Is My Water Pressure Occasionally So Bad?

 Water pressure issues are extremely common, and many times homeowners don't even know that they're calling a plumber to identify the problem. For example, if you call a plumbing company and describe water issues such as:

• Low water pressure

• Scalding hot or freezing cold water

• Not enough hot water (or vice versa)

• Leaky faucets / pipes / fixtures / appliances

chances are good that your plumber will be able to identify the problem in no time flat. These types of issues indicate that there is an underlying issue within your home's piping. There could be multiple problems at play- for example, low water pressure can come from issues with your good pump, the water pressure tank, the well piping, or your internal plumbing. Fortunately, most of these issues can be easily addressed by a trained plumber with proper equipment and experience.

In contrast to those types of water pressure issues described above, intermittent problems are much harder to identify. A majority of homebuyers will say that one of their biggest concerns about buying a new home is if they'll have enough hot water throughout the house (or at all). This problem (among others) can often be solved with certain upgrades such as:

Water Heater Size – If you're not getting enough hot water in some areas compared to others (e.g., your shower runs out before you shampoo or your dishwasher takes forever), then this means that you need a larger water heater.

Water Heater Efficiency – If you have an older water heater, then there's a good chance that it's not as efficient (or properly sized) compared to modern tankless models. For example, if your water heater is rated at 40 gallons-per-minute (GPM), but your shower only has one head and its flow rate is 2 GPM, then you're wasting 20 gallons of hot water! There are also some other factors including the length of the showers/baths and appliances in use while these events occur.

Is Your Water Heater As Large As It Could Be?

If your home does not currently have enough hot water throughout the house, or you're looking for ways to reduce your heating bill, then it's a good idea to consider upgrading your water heater. Some homes have water heaters that are not only smaller in size compared to their flow rate, but they may also be powered by an inefficient energy source. In most areas of the country, natural gas is typically much more expensive than electricity from the power company. This means that if you have a 40 gallon-per-minute water heater and it runs on natural gas, you could be spending upwards of $500 per year just to keep your hot water flowing!

Of course, there are some exceptions when it comes to updating a home's heating equipment. If you're going from a 50 GPM unit to 100 GPM or, this will likely require a new water tank, at minimum. If you're going from a natural gas unit to an electric-powered tankless model, then this will also be more expensive in most cases.

Modern Water Heater Options for Homes in Los Angeles

There are several advanced options when it comes to the modern water heater. The first is an Electric Tankless Hot Water Heater which provides endless hot water throughout your home without wasting energy in standby mode. These units are available in 8 GPM models up through 80+ GPM units and can be installed on either standard or high-efficiency electrical outlets. Depending on the size of your house, these units may reduce your household's annual energy bill by hundreds of dollars!

Another option is a Gas Tankless Hot Water Heater which is often a step up from an electric-powered tankless model. Not only can these units be installed with natural or propane gas, but they also have the ability to switch between the two power sources for added convenience and savings over time. For example, if electricity prices go up in your area, you can choose to run your unit on propane instead of natural gas to save money while staying comfortable.

Of course, no matter what type of water heater you select - Gas Tankless Hot Water Heater, Natural Gas Water Heater, Electric Tankless Hot Water Heater, or Solar Water Heating System - it's important that your plumber does a full evaluation of your home to ensure that the right size heater is installed in the right place! In addition, check valves should be used on all gas-powered water heaters to avoid potential fires and explosions.

If you're building a new home in Los Angeles, then it's likely that the plumber will size your tankless water heater for a family of four since most homes support this number or more. If you start to fill up the house with extra people (e.g., grandma moves in later), make sure that your contractor adds an expansion loop to your system - at least - to accommodate for future changes.

In general, if someone takes frequent long showers or baths, or if there are many teenagers living in the home, then it's likely you'll need a larger model compared to the four-person scenario above. There are also some other factors including the length of the showers/baths and appliances in use while these events occur.

If you'd like more information on sizing your home for energy efficiency, or if you need advice on how to handle a plumbing problem, then please give us a call at 310-568-1902! We have more than 30 years of experience working on all types of homes throughout Los Angeles County. Our plumbers can help with everything from drain cleaning to water heater replacement to whole-house remodels.