Yes, you can increase water pressure, but the method depends on what's causing it to drop

Water pressure in your home can be raised in several ways, but first you need to know whether the problem is in your plumbing system, your water meter, or your municipal supply. Low pressure everywhere in the house points to one cause; low pressure in one room or fixture points to another. A pressure gauge costs $10 to $20 and takes five minutes to use—it tells you whether you're starting with 30 pounds per square inch (psi) or 60 psi, which changes what you can actually do.

Most homes receive water at 40 to 80 psi from the street. If your house sits on a hill or far from the water main, pressure naturally drops. If you have old galvanized pipes, mineral buildup narrows them over decades. If you have a pressure regulator (a brass valve near where the water line enters your house), it may be set too low or failing. Each of these has a different fix, and some are DIY while others need a plumber.

Key Takeaways

  • A water pressure gauge ($10–$20) tells you whether your pressure is genuinely low or just feels that way, and whether the problem is in your house or the street supply.
  • If you have a pressure regulator valve, you can adjust it yourself by turning the adjustment screw clockwise, but do not exceed 80 psi or you risk damaging fixtures and pipes.
  • Mineral buildup in old pipes and aerators is the most common cause of low pressure in single rooms; cleaning or replacing the aerator takes 10 minutes and costs nothing.
  • If pressure is low everywhere and you have no regulator, a pressure booster pump ($300–$800 installed) is the permanent solution, though it requires a plumber.
  • Municipal water pressure varies by time of day and neighborhood; calling your water department tells you whether the problem is on their side of the meter.

Check your pressure before you do anything else

Buy a water pressure gauge at any hardware store and screw it onto an outdoor faucet or a washing machine connection. Turn the faucet on fully and read the number. If it reads below 40 psi, pressure is genuinely low. If it reads 50 psi or higher, the problem may be something else—a clogged aerator, a closed valve, or the way water is flowing through your pipes.

Write down the reading and the time of day. Water pressure often drops in the evening when neighbors are using water, and rises again at night. If your pressure is 60 psi at 10 p.m. but 35 psi at 6 p.m., the issue is municipal supply, not your house. Call your water department and ask what pressure they may provide in your area. Many cities aim for 50 to 60 psi but do not promise it during peak hours.

Adjust your pressure regulator if you have one

A pressure regulator is a brass or plastic valve, usually bell-shaped, mounted on the water line where it enters your house—typically in the basement, crawl space, or under the kitchen sink. It looks like a small fire hydrant. If you have one, it may be set too low, or it may be failing and needs replacement.

To adjust it, locate the adjustment screw on top (usually a hex bolt or a plastic knob). Turn it clockwise one-quarter turn at a time, then check your gauge. Each quarter turn raises pressure by roughly 5 to 10 psi. Stop when you reach 60 to 70 psi—do not go above 80 psi, because high pressure damages water heaters, washing machines, and pipes over time. If you turn the screw and nothing changes, the regulator is stuck or broken and needs replacement by a plumber ($150–$300).

If you have no regulator at all and pressure is low everywhere, a plumber can install one with a booster pump built in. This is the most common permanent fix for homes that sit far from the water main or on high ground.

Clean or replace aerators and screens

If pressure is low in only one or two faucets, the problem is almost always mineral buildup in the aerator—the small screen at the tip of the faucet. Aerators trap sediment and minerals, especially in areas with hard water. Cleaning takes 10 minutes and costs nothing.

Unscrew the aerator by hand or with a wrench (turn counterclockwise). Soak it in white vinegar for 30 minutes to dissolve mineral deposits, then scrub it with an old toothbrush and rinse. Screw it back on and test. If pressure is still low, the aerator is too clogged to clean—buy a replacement for $3 to $8 and install it the same way. For shower heads, the same method works: unscrew, soak in vinegar, scrub, and reinstall.

If cleaning the aerator does not help, check whether a valve under the sink is partially closed. Valves have a handle that should point in line with the pipe when fully open. If it is at an angle, turn it parallel to the pipe. This is the second most common cause of low pressure in a single fixture.

Look for leaks and closed valves in your system

Before you spend money on a pump or regulator, walk through your house and look for water stains on ceilings, walls, or under sinks. A hidden leak reduces pressure throughout the house. If you see stains, call a plumber to locate and repair the leak—it will save you money in the long run and restore your pressure.

Also check the main water shut-off valve, usually located near the water meter or where the line enters the house. It should be fully open (the handle points in line with the pipe). If someone partially closed it, turning it fully open may solve your problem. Do not force it if it is stuck; call a plumber instead.

Install a pressure booster pump for persistent low pressure

If your pressure gauge reads below 40 psi everywhere in the house, you have no regulator, and your water department confirms they are delivering normal pressure to the street, a booster pump is the solution. A booster pump is an electric pump that sits on your water line and increases pressure automatically when you turn on a faucet.

Booster pumps cost $300 to $800 installed, depending on size and whether you need a storage tank. A plumber sizes the pump based on your household's peak water use (how many showers and toilets run at once) and your starting pressure. Installation takes a few hours and requires turning off your main water valve. Once installed, the pump runs automatically and requires little maintenance beyond an annual pressure check.

Some homes use a combination of a regulator and a booster pump: the regulator protects against spikes from the street, and the pump raises the baseline pressure. A plumber can recommend which setup fits your situation.

Understand what you cannot fix yourself

If your water department is delivering low pressure to the street, you cannot fix it from inside your house. Some neighborhoods have aging infrastructure that cannot support high pressure, and the city has no when ready plans to upgrade. In this case, a booster pump is your only option, and even then it can only raise pressure so high before the pump runs constantly.

If you rent, talk to your landlord before making any changes. Adjusting a regulator or cleaning an aerator is fine, but installing a pump requires landlord permission and usually a plumber's work. If pressure is genuinely low, your landlord is responsible for fixing it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my pressure regulator is broken?

Turn the adjustment screw clockwise several full turns. If the pressure gauge does not move at all, the regulator is stuck or failed. If pressure jumps up and then slowly drops back down over a few minutes, the internal seal is worn out. Either way, it needs replacement. A plumber can do this in under an hour for $150–$300.

Will increasing water pressure damage my pipes?

Pressure above 80 psi can damage water heaters, washing machine hoses, and old pipes over time. Pressure between 60 and 80 psi is safe for most homes. If you have very old galvanized pipes, even 70 psi may cause slow leaks at joints. A plumber can inspect your pipes and recommend a safe pressure ceiling.

Can I install a booster pump myself?

Booster pumps require electrical work, plumbing connections, and pressure testing. This is not a DIY job. Hire a licensed plumber to size, install, and test the pump. Improper installation can damage the pump and your plumbing.

Why is my water pressure low only in the morning?

Air can get trapped in pipes overnight and reduce flow. Run all your cold-water faucets for 30 seconds to push the air out. If pressure stays low after that, the problem is not air. If pressure is normal by afternoon, the issue is likely municipal supply during peak morning hours.

Does a water softener affect water pressure?

Yes, water softeners can reduce pressure slightly because water flows through the resin tank. If you have a softener and low pressure, ask the installer whether the unit is sized correctly for your home's flow rate. An undersized softener will noticeably reduce pressure.