What Causes Low Water Pressure and How to Fix It
Weak showers and slow-filling faucets are more than an annoyance — they can signal hidden plumbing problems. Learn what causes low water pressure and how to fix it.
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Your furnace has been idle all summer, and the first cold night is the worst time to learn it is not working. A thorough fall checkup catches problems while technicians are available and parts are in stock, not during the winter rush when everyone calls at once.
Start with the basics: replace the air filter and make sure the thermostat is set to heat with fresh batteries. Test the system by raising the thermostat a few degrees and listening for smooth startup. Any banging, rattling, or failure to ignite needs professional attention.
Check all supply vents and return grilles around the house. Make sure furniture, rugs, and curtains are not blocking airflow, and vacuum dust from the grilles. Restricted airflow makes the furnace work harder and can overheat the heat exchanger.
Inspect the area around the furnace itself. Keep the space clear of storage, especially anything flammable. Look for rust, soot, or scorch marks on the unit, which can indicate combustion problems. If you have a gas furnace, verify the pilot light or electronic ignition is functioning correctly.
Carbon monoxide safety is non-negotiable. Test your CO detectors and replace batteries, and make sure there is a detector on every floor near sleeping areas. A cracked heat exchanger can leak odorless CO into your home, which is why the professional fall inspection matters so much. Schedule furnace maintenance with a technician who performs combustion analysis.
Outside, clear leaves and debris from around any exterior vents or intake pipes. For high-efficiency furnaces with PVC venting, make sure the pipes are not blocked by nests, snow guards, or landscaping. Blocked vents can shut the furnace down or worse.
Bleed air from hot water radiators if you have a boiler system, and check that the pressure gauge reads in the normal range. For forced-air systems, consider having the ducts inspected if some rooms never heat evenly. Sealing leaky ducts can improve comfort dramatically, and upgrading insulation or windows reduces the heating load on your furnace all winter.
💡 Quick takeaways
- Test your furnace in early fall, not on the first freezing night.
- Test CO detectors and replace batteries before heating season.
- Keep flammables and storage at least 3 feet from the furnace.
- Clear exterior vents and intakes of leaves, nests, and debris.
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