The most common fixes for low water pressure

Low water pressure usually comes from one of three places: a problem at the meter or main line (which you cannot fix), a clogged aerator or showerhead (which takes two minutes), or a partially closed valve in your home (which takes five minutes to find and open). Start with the aerator — the screen at the tip of your faucet — because it is the fastest fix and works about half the time.

Unscrew the aerator by hand or with pliers wrapped in a cloth so you do not scratch it. Rinse it under hot water and use an old toothbrush to scrub away mineral buildup. If the screen is too clogged to clean, replace it with a new one from any hardware store for two to five dollars. Screw it back on and test the pressure. If that does not work, move to the next step.

Next, locate the main shut-off valve in your home — usually near the water meter in a basement, crawl space, or outside wall. It looks like a handle or knob on the pipe coming into your house. If it is not fully open, turn it counterclockwise until it stops. Many homeowners find a valve that was accidentally left half-closed, and opening it restores pressure throughout the house.

Key Takeaways

  • Clean or replace the aerator (the screen on your faucet tip) first, because mineral buildup is the most common cause of weak pressure in a single sink.
  • Check that your main shut-off valve is fully open; a partially closed valve cuts pressure to your entire home.
  • If pressure is low in only one room or fixture, the problem is usually in that line; if it is low everywhere, the issue is likely at the meter or main line.
  • Pressure regulators wear out over time and can be replaced by a plumber for one hundred to three hundred dollars if pressure has dropped gradually across your whole house.
  • Hard water mineral deposits build up inside pipes and reduce flow; flushing the line or installing a water softener can help, but both are longer-term fixes.

When the problem is in one room or one fixture

If only your kitchen sink or bathroom shower has weak pressure, the clog is in that line, not in your main supply. Start by cleaning the aerator or showerhead as described above. If that does not work, the mineral buildup is deeper in the line.

For a faucet, you can try removing the aerator and running water through the line for thirty seconds to flush out loose debris. For a showerhead, unscrew it and soak it in a bowl of white vinegar for two to four hours, then scrub the holes with an old toothbrush. This dissolves mineral deposits and usually restores flow.

If the problem persists after cleaning, the clog is inside the pipe itself and you will need a plumber. Do not try to force a plumbing snake into a line yourself — you can crack the pipe or push the clog deeper.

When pressure is low everywhere in the house

If every faucet, shower, and toilet has weak pressure, the problem is either at your meter, in your main line, or in your pressure regulator. You cannot fix the meter or main line yourself — that is the water company's responsibility — but you can check whether your pressure regulator is the issue.

A pressure regulator is a bell-shaped device on the main water line, usually near the shut-off valve. If your home has one and it is more than ten years old, it may have failed and needs replacement. A plumber can test it and replace it for one hundred to three hundred dollars. If you do not have a regulator and pressure has dropped gradually over months or years, mineral buildup inside your main line is likely the cause, and flushing the line or installing a water softener are the main options.

Call your water company first to confirm that pressure at the meter is normal. If they report normal pressure at the meter but you have weak pressure inside, the problem is in your home's plumbing and a plumber can diagnose it.

How to check your pressure regulator

A pressure regulator keeps water pressure steady and prevents damage to pipes and appliances. If it fails, pressure drops throughout the house. You can test it yourself with an inexpensive pressure gauge, which screws onto any outdoor faucet or hose bib.

Screw the gauge onto the faucet and turn the faucet on fully. Normal household pressure is between forty and eighty pounds per square inch (PSI). If your gauge reads below forty PSI and your water company confirmed normal pressure at the meter, your regulator has likely failed and needs replacement by a plumber.

If you do not have a pressure gauge, a plumber can test the regulator for you in about fifteen minutes. The test costs thirty to fifty dollars and tells you whether replacement is necessary.

Mineral buildup and hard water solutions

Hard water — water with high levels of calcium and magnesium — leaves mineral deposits inside pipes over time. These deposits narrow the pipe and reduce flow. If your pressure has dropped slowly over several years and affects your whole house, hard water is often the cause.

The fastest fix is to flush your main line. A plumber can do this by running high-velocity water backward through your pipes to dislodge deposits. The cost is usually two hundred to four hundred dollars and pressure often improves noticeably. The improvement may be temporary if you have very hard water, because deposits will build up again.

A longer-term solution is a water softener, which removes calcium and magnesium before they enter your pipes. Softeners cost eight hundred to two thousand dollars to install and require salt refills every few months. They prevent new mineral buildup but do not remove deposits already inside old pipes.

When to call a plumber instead of fixing it yourself

Call a plumber if pressure is low everywhere in your house and the main shut-off valve is fully open. You cannot diagnose a problem at the meter or in the main line yourself, and a plumber's diagnostic visit usually costs fifty to one hundred dollars but saves you from guessing.

Also call a plumber if pressure is low in one room and cleaning the aerator or showerhead does not fix it, or if you suspect a leak or burst pipe. Signs of a leak include wet spots on walls or ceilings, soft spots in drywall, or a hissing sound near the wall. A plumber can locate the leak with a listening device and repair it before water damage spreads.

Do not try to replace a pressure regulator yourself unless you have plumbing experience. The regulator is under pressure and improper installation can damage your water line or cause flooding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my water pressure weak in just the shower?

The showerhead aerator is almost always the cause. Unscrew the showerhead and soak it in white vinegar for two to four hours, then scrub the holes with a toothbrush. If that does not work, replace the showerhead with a new one for ten to thirty dollars.

Can I increase my water pressure above what the water company provides?

No. Your water company sets the pressure at the meter, and you cannot legally increase it beyond that point. If you want higher pressure than your company provides, you would need a booster pump, which costs one thousand to three thousand dollars to install and is rarely necessary for residential use.

What is normal water pressure for a house?

Normal household water pressure is between forty and eighty PSI. Below forty PSI feels weak; above eighty PSI can damage pipes and appliances. If your pressure is consistently above eighty, a pressure regulator can bring it down.

How often should I clean my faucet aerators?

In areas with hard water, clean aerators every six to twelve months. In areas with soft water, once a year is usually enough. If you notice pressure dropping suddenly, clean the aerator right away — it may have caught a large piece of debris.

Does a water softener increase water pressure?

No. A water softener removes minerals but does not change pressure. However, by preventing new mineral buildup, it can help maintain the pressure you already have over time.