Fixture, valve, piping and supply issues that can reduce water pressure.
Low water pressure is one of those problems that starts as a minor annoyance — a shower that never feels quite right, a faucet that fills the pot more slowly than it used to — and gradually makes every water task in the house more frustrating.
In Florida homes, particularly in Brevard County, there are several common causes worth understanding.
Clogged or Corroded Fixture Aerators
The simplest explanation for low pressure at a single faucet is a clogged aerator. Aerators are small mesh screens at the tip of faucet spouts that mix air with water. Over time, mineral deposits from Florida's water supply can block the mesh and significantly reduce flow.
Cleaning or replacing the aerator takes a few minutes and costs almost nothing. If that does not restore pressure, the problem is deeper in the supply line or fixture.
Partially Closed Shutoff Valves
Every home has a main shutoff valve, and individual fixtures have their own shutoff valves under sinks and behind toilets. If a valve was turned partially closed during a repair and not fully reopened, it will restrict flow to everything downstream.
This is a common culprit after any recent plumbing work or if a shutoff valve was adjusted during a leak and the household moved on without checking that it was fully reopened.
Hidden Leaks
A leak in a supply line — whether inside a wall, under a slab or in an outdoor line — reduces the pressure available to fixtures because water is escaping before it reaches them. Pressure loss that affects multiple fixtures simultaneously, combined with unexplained increases in your water bill, is a strong indicator of a leak somewhere in the system.
Slab leaks are more common in Florida than in many other states because of the way homes are built on concrete foundations. They can be subtle — sometimes the only signs are soft flooring, warm spots underfoot or a water bill that keeps climbing.
Aging or Corroded Pipes
Older homes in Palm Bay, Melbourne and throughout Brevard County may have galvanized steel pipes that have corroded from the inside over decades of use. Corrosion narrows the interior diameter of the pipe, restricting flow and sometimes releasing rust particles that discolor the water.
Homes with this type of piping often develop pressure problems that start gradually and worsen over time. Repiping with modern materials is the long-term solution when corrosion has progressed throughout the supply system.
Pressure Regulator Problems
Many Florida homes have a pressure regulator — sometimes called a pressure-reducing valve — installed where the main water supply enters the house. These valves protect plumbing systems from excessively high municipal water pressure.
When a pressure regulator starts to fail, it can cause pressure that is consistently low throughout the home or pressure that fluctuates unpredictably. A plumber can test the regulator and replace it if it is no longer functioning correctly.
Getting Help in Brevard County
If low water pressure in your Palm Bay or Melbourne home has been bothering you, McKinney Plumbing can inspect your fixtures, valves, supply lines and piping to identify the cause and recommend an appropriate repair.
Call 321-458-2221 or request service online. We serve Palm Bay, Melbourne and surrounding Brevard County communities.