Water pressure can differ depending on where you live and the type of faucet you have. Some places have much harder water and others have soft water. Many people think that changing out the faucet for a new one or changing the shower head will fix this problem. Sadly, this is not always the case and it is a good idea to consult your local residential plumber. Yes, sometimes it does help because the water pressure has gone down over time due to dirt and grime filling the faucet and shower head. Other times though it is due to the main water lines in your area.
Long ago faucets were constructed very different than they are now. They used to have a simple plastic washer on the inside. When you turned the faucet on, the washer would move to allow the water to pour freely from the faucet. This was great if you wanted lots of water quickly because there was a large open space for the water to come out freely. There were two major problems with this construction though. One was that due to opening being so large, lots of water was being wasted. There was no way to control the amount of water that would come out of the faucet. The second major problem was that the opening was so large that small pieces of dirt could go through it. This would cause dirt and other things to be in your drinking water which was not healthy.
Today, the faucet is constructed much differently than it was. There is no longer just a small washer in the way of the water flowing freely out of the faucet. There are now new cartridges in the faucet that the water must pass through. These cartridges are much smaller so not as much water can get through at a time. Also, most faucets have aerators attached to the tip of the faucet head. If taken apart, you can see that the aerator is made up of many small screens. These screens have many very small openings that allow water to pass through it. Not only do these new parts regulate the amount of water coming through the faucet, but they also stop any sediment from coming out of the faucet as well.
If you feel that your water pressure has lessened over time, then most likely there is just a buildup of sediment in your faucet. The easiest way to fix this is by taking the aerator off and cleaning it in some lemon juice or white vinegar. If it is your shower head then you should unscrew the head and let it sit in some cleaner as well. If this does not help then there may be more serious problems. Calling a local Salt Lake City plumber would be the best way to get the problem solved as they would have the plumbing services to help with any issues. They will be able to tell you if there is more sediment further into the faucet or if it has to do with the water pressure in your particular area.
