Low or High Water Pressure in Older Homes
Weak showers or banging pipes? What causes pressure problems in Springvale's older houses and how to fix them.
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- Springvale based
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters
- Price agreed first
- Homes and shops
Low pressure
Galvanised pipe
Galvanised steel pipe rusts inside and slowly closes up. Homes plumbed in galvanised pipe in the 1950s and 1960s can lose a lot of flow. Replacing the worst sections, or the whole run, restores pressure.
Hidden leaks
A leak in the service pipe or under the house reduces pressure at the taps. A meter test can show whether water is escaping.
Faulty valves
A partly closed or failing stopcock, a clogged pressure limiting valve or a blocked tap aerator can all restrict flow.
Hot water only
If only the hot water is weak, check the tempering valve, the hot water unit's valves and any sediment.
High pressure
Mains pressure in some areas is high. Signs include banging pipes when taps close, taps that wear out quickly, dripping relief valves on the hot water unit and leaking flexible hoses. A pressure limiting valve fitted after the meter brings pressure down to a safe level and protects the whole house.
Water hammer
That bang when a tap shuts or a washing machine valve closes is water hammer. Loose pipes under the floor make it worse. Fixing pipes securely and fitting a pressure limiting valve or water hammer arrestor usually solves it.
Testing
We test pressure at the meter and at fixtures to find the cause, then recommend the simplest fix.
Unit blocks
In older unit blocks, shared water services can be undersized for the number of units now using them. If pressure drops when neighbours use water, the shared service may need upgrading. We test and report so the owners corporation can decide.
Shower heads and aerators
Before calling, unscrew tap aerators and shower heads and check for grit. A clean can restore flow.
Springvale ground and pipes
Springvale sits on a mix of sandy loam and heavier clay, and much of the suburb was built in the 1950s and 1960s with earthenware sewer pipes and galvanised or early copper water pipe. Clay joints shift over time and let roots in, rusting galvanised pipe slowly narrows and leaks, and drains under subdivided blocks are often shared between homes. We use drain cameras, locators and pressure tests to see exactly what is going on before anyone digs.
Related services
- Emergency plumbing
- Blocked drains
- Hot water
- Gas fitting
- Hot water replacement
- Heat pumps
- Leaking taps
- Burst pipes
- Toilets
- Leak detection
- Pipe relining
- Stormwater
- Bathrooms and kitchens
- Commercial plumbing
- Grease traps
- Backflow testing
More guides
Why Springvale homes and shops call us
Homes and shopfronts
From 1950s brick veneers to restaurant kitchens on the main strip, we work on both every week.
Plain explanations
We show you what we found, in plain English, with photos when they help.
A price before work
You get a fixed price once the fault is found. Nothing starts until you say yes.
Tidy and on time
We ring ahead, protect floors and take the old parts and mess away.
Get a free quote
Tell us what is happening and a licensed Springvale plumber will call you back.
How quoting works
Ring 03 7076 1660 or send the form with a short note and a photo if you can. A licensed plumber calls you back, asks a few questions and books a time. On site they find the cause, explain your options in plain English and give you a fixed price. Nothing starts until you agree, and larger jobs get a free written quote.
Need a plumber in Springvale?
Springvale, Springvale South, Noble Park, Keysborough and nearby suburbs. Quote-only: the plumber finds the fault first, then gives you a fixed price.