How to Resolve Low Water Pressure Issues

No one likes low water pressure during a much-needed hot shower. Whether it built up over time or happened suddenly, a lack of proper water flow coming out of your kitchen sinks or faucets compromises your plumbing system. In our “Why Does My Tucson Home Have Low Water Pressure?” blog, we further explore the different causes.

To solve your low water pressure issues, you can attempt the following solutions:

In this blog, we'll take an in-depth look at the causes and solutions to see what you might be experiencing and what to do next. It’s possible to troubleshoot specific issues yourself, while other concerns require you to call a professional plumber.

When the water pressure in your home drops, one of the possible causes could be a blocked pipe. Over time, minerals, debris, and dirt can build up. This buildup restricts your pipes and limits the amount of water that pushes through. Other common buildups could be from soaps, hair, and household products.

If you have a clogged drain, flushing out the blockage often does the trick.

Tiny cracks or holes may find their way into your pipes to cause low water pressure in your house. Even small undetected leaks can reduce your water pressure.

To determine if you have a leak, check your home’s water meter. A higher meter reading is usually a sign of a leaking pipe. If you are unsure what the reading should be, check your owner’s manual on the water pump, or contact a local plumber.

You can also take a look around to locate any wet spots or pooling water. Patching up the leak yourself by turning off your water supply and adding silicone tape or epoxy putty to the cracked area could temporarily fix your leak. Calling a professional to inspect and complete the job can help you avoid water damage in the future.

Did everyone in your neighborhood suddenly lose water flow? Low water pressure can come from a public water supply controlled by your city that affects the whole community, not just your house.

When this happens, you’ll want to:

• Call your local utility company to find out more information about the issue; your input could alert them to the issue.

• Listen to or watch your local news. Since these instances affect the entire city, news stations usually broadcast updates to inform everyone. You could also check your local news station’s social media for information.

• Check your city's website to see if the city has updated the regulations that could affect your water supply.

If the issues don’t seem resolved, have a plumber check your main water supply for further issues.

Is the low water pressure only limited to your kitchen faucet or your bathroom sink? Then it’s likely because a piece that’s attached to the faucet is rusted or corroded. Removing the old piece and cleaning inside the pipe is a simple process that should improve your flow and bring your water pressure back to normal.

In older homes, it’s common to have metal pipes that wear out. Often you might even see brown particles in your water. Those corroded metal pieces slow your water supply, eventually stopping your water flow completely.

If you’ve recently added another fixture to your home (e.g., like a new bathroom or a washing machine) but kept the same pipe system, the added fixture could also cause low water pressure.

When this happens, contact a professional who can replace your pipes with a new set or add additional pipes to support all of the plumbing needs in your house.

Within your plumbing pipes, there may be water pressure regulating components that have been damaged or turned off.

Typical issues with these components include:

You can usually locate it near the water heater or underneath your kitchen sink. Turning the valves back on to the open position will restore water flow back to your pipes. If turning it back open doesn’t help, the pipe may need repair.

The valve is another area that controls the water pressure in your home. If closed shut, it will reduce your water pressure and will require an outside professional to come out and open it back up.

It’s a bell-shaped metal fixture found outside your home near the meter, and it ensures that the water from the city's main lines goes through your pipes at a steady, consistent pressure.

If it’s worn or faulty, the regulator can cause low water pressure. You’ll hear banging or hammering noise coming from your pipes, letting you know the regulator is reaching the end of its lifespan. When this issue happens, a plumber will need to come to your home and provide a replacement.