Low Water Pressure? Here Are Some Easy Solutions

Low water pressure usually comes down to one of a few things: a clogged faucet aerator or showerhead (very common with our hard water), a shutoff valve that isn't fully open, a failing pressure-reducing valve, a leak, or old, corroded pipes. If only one fixture is weak, start with that fixture. If the whole house is weak, the problem is further upstream.

What causes low water pressure?

• Clogged aerators and showerheads. Hard water leaves mineral scale in the small screens and holes the water passes through.
• A partly closed valve. If work was done recently, the main shutoff or a fixture's shutoff valve may not have been opened all the way.
• A failing pressure-reducing valve (PRV). If your home has one, it can wear out and drop the pressure throughout the house.
• Leaks that divert water before it reaches your faucets.
• Old galvanized steel pipes, which corrode on the inside and narrow over time.
• Low supply pressure from your water utility or, if you're on a private well, a problem with the well's pressure tank or pressure switch.

What can you do about low water pressure?

Check whether it's one fixture or the whole house

Run a few faucets around the house. If just one is weak, the problem is almost always at that fixture. If they're all weak, make sure the main shutoff valve is fully open, then look at the pressure-reducing valve and check for leaks.

Clean the aerator or showerhead

The aerator is the small screen at the tip of the faucet. Unscrew it (or remove the showerhead), rinse out any debris, and soak it in white vinegar to dissolve mineral scale. Aerators are inexpensive to replace if they're too far gone. Hard water is usually the culprit, so if you're cleaning them often, a water softener may be worth a look.

Look for leaks

Turn off all the water in the house and watch the water meter. If it keeps moving, you have a leak somewhere. A sudden jump in your water bill is another clue.

Should you install a water pressure booster pump?

A booster pump raises the pressure when the supply coming into your home is genuinely low, for example at the end of a long service line or on a property that sits well above its water source. It won't fix a clog, a leak, or a failing pressure-reducing valve, so rule those out first. Installing one involves plumbing and electrical work, so it's a job for a professional.

When should you repair or replace fixtures and pipes?

If the fixtures or pipes in your home are older, they may be the cause of your low pressure. Sometimes a quick repair with new gaskets or washers is all it takes. But if old galvanized pipes have corroded on the inside, or your pipes are too small for the fixtures they serve, replacing sections of pipe is often the real fix. A plumber can help you decide what size and material make sense for your home. Our water line team handles repiping and line replacements.

How can you prevent low water pressure?

• Check the fixtures in your home for leaks.
• Clean the aerators on your faucets and showerheads regularly to clear mineral buildup.
• If you have old galvanized pipes, plan to replace them before they fail.
• If your pressure seems too strong instead, that's a problem too. See why high water pressure can cause expensive problems.