Yes, you can increase water pressure, but the method depends on what is causing it to drop
Low water pressure usually comes from one of three sources: a problem inside your home's plumbing, a problem between your meter and your home, or low pressure from the water company itself. You can fix the first type yourself. The second type requires a plumber. The third type you cannot fix, but you can confirm it is the actual problem before spending money on repairs.
Start by checking whether the low pressure is everywhere in your home or only at certain fixtures. If it is only in one sink or shower, the problem is local — a clogged aerator or mineral buildup in that fixture. If it is everywhere, the problem is in your main line or your pressure regulator. If it is everywhere and started suddenly after a water company visit, call the company to ask whether they adjusted your pressure or worked on the main line.
Key Takeaways
- Low pressure at a single fixture usually means a clogged aerator, which you can clean by unscrewing it from the faucet and rinsing it under running water.
- Low pressure throughout your home may be caused by a faulty pressure regulator, which a plumber can replace for $300 to $500 in most cases.
- Mineral buildup in your pipes reduces flow over time; a plumber can flush the line or install a water softener if your water is hard.
- The water company controls pressure at the meter; if pressure is low there, the problem is not in your home and you should contact them.
- Increasing pressure beyond 80 pounds per square inch can damage appliances and fixtures, so a regulator exists to protect your plumbing.
Clean or replace the aerator on the affected fixture
An aerator is the small screen at the tip of your faucet. It mixes air into the water stream and prevents splashing. Over time, mineral deposits and sediment clog it, reducing flow. This is the easiest problem to fix yourself.
Unscrew the aerator by hand or with a wrench if it is stuck. Rinse it under hot running water and use an old toothbrush to scrub away any white or brown buildup. If the screen is badly corroded, soak it in white vinegar for 30 minutes, then scrub again. Screw it back on and test the pressure. If pressure is still low, the problem is deeper in the fixture or the line feeding it.
If cleaning does not work, you can buy a replacement aerator at any hardware store for $3 to $8. Bring the old one with you so the staff can match the thread size. Screw the new one on and test again.
Check the shut-off valve under the sink
Under most sinks is a shut-off valve that lets you stop water flow if you need to repair the fixture. If someone partially closed this valve, pressure at that sink will drop while pressure elsewhere stays normal.
Look under the sink for a small knob or lever on the water line. Turn it fully counterclockwise (or pull the lever all the way out if it is a ball valve). This opens it completely. If pressure improves, someone had closed it partway. Leave it fully open. If pressure does not improve, the valve itself may be clogged or failing, and a plumber should replace it.
Test pressure at the meter to rule out a water company problem
Your water meter sits where the main line enters your property, usually in a basement, crawl space, or outside in a box. If pressure is low at the meter but normal at your fixtures, the problem is in your home. If pressure is low at the meter, the problem is the water company's responsibility.
You will need a pressure gauge, which costs $10 to $20 at any hardware store. Screw it onto the hose bib (outdoor faucet) closest to the meter. Turn the hose bib on fully and read the gauge. Normal pressure is 40 to 80 pounds per square inch. If the reading is below 40 and low pressure is happening throughout your home, contact your water company and report it. They will test the main line and adjust pressure if needed at no cost to you.
Have a plumber check or replace the pressure regulator
A pressure regulator is a bell-shaped device on the main water line, usually near the meter. It keeps pressure from the street (which can be 100+ pounds per square inch) from damaging your home's pipes and appliances. If the regulator fails, pressure drops throughout the house.
You can test whether the regulator is the problem by comparing pressure at the meter to pressure at an indoor faucet. If pressure at the meter is normal (40 to 80 psi) but pressure indoors is low, the regulator is likely failing. A plumber can replace it for $300 to $500 depending on your location and whether the old one is stuck. This is not a repair you should attempt yourself because it involves the main water line.
Some homes do not have a regulator. If you cannot find one on your main line, your water company may be providing regulated pressure already, or your home may be on a system where regulation is not needed.
Flush mineral deposits from your pipes
If your water is hard (high in calcium and magnesium), mineral buildup inside your pipes narrows the passages and reduces flow over time. This happens gradually, so you may not notice until pressure is noticeably low.
A plumber can flush your main line with high-pressure water to clear the buildup. The cost is usually $200 to $400. If you have hard water, installing a water softener will slow future buildup, though the softener itself costs $500 to $2,500 depending on the model and your water hardness level. A water softener also extends the life of your water heater and appliances.
Before paying for a flush, ask the plumber to measure pressure at the meter and at an indoor faucet. If both readings are low, the problem is likely in the street or at the meter, not in your pipes.
Know when higher pressure is not the answer
Water pressure above 80 pounds per square inch can damage fixtures, appliances, and pipes. It causes leaks in supply lines, shortens the life of your water heater, and can crack ceramic fixtures. The pressure regulator exists to prevent this.
If you are tempted to adjust the regulator to increase pressure, do not. The regulator has a screw on top that controls the setting, but adjusting it without knowing the current pressure can cause damage. If you believe pressure is too low even after checking the meter and ruling out local clogs, hire a plumber to adjust the regulator properly. They will measure pressure before and after to make sure it stays in the safe range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is water pressure low only in the shower?
The shower head has a small aerator that clogs easily. Unscrew the head, soak it in vinegar for 30 minutes, and scrub the holes with an old toothbrush. If that does not work, buy a replacement head for $10 to $30. If pressure is also low at the bathroom sink, the problem may be the shut-off valve under the sink or mineral buildup in the line feeding that bathroom.
Can I increase water pressure by adjusting the regulator myself?
You can, but you should not without a pressure gauge and knowledge of your current pressure. Adjusting it too high damages pipes and appliances. Adjusting it too low makes the problem worse. Hire a plumber to do this; it costs $100 to $200 and takes less than an hour.
What does a pressure regulator look like?
It is a brass or plastic bell-shaped device about 3 to 4 inches tall, usually mounted on the main water line near the meter. It has a screw on top and sometimes a gauge showing the current pressure setting. Not all homes have one; if you cannot find it on your main line, your water company may be providing regulated pressure at the meter.
How much does it cost to fix low water pressure?
Cleaning an aerator is free. Replacing one costs $3 to $8. A plumber visit to diagnose the problem costs $100 to $200. Replacing a regulator costs $300 to $500. Flushing mineral deposits costs $200 to $400. Installing a water softener costs $500 to $2,500. Start with the free and cheap fixes before calling a plumber.
Is low water pressure a sign of a leak?
Not always, but it can be. If pressure dropped suddenly and your water bill increased, a leak is likely. Check your meter: turn off all water in the house, wait 30 minutes, and check the meter again. If it moved, you have a leak. If pressure dropped gradually over months or years, mineral buildup is more likely than a leak.