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Common Causes of Low Water Pressure
Why your water pressure might be dropping, and which causes are DIY-fixable vs. not.
Why your water pressure might be dropping, and which causes are DIY-fixable vs. not.
Low water pressure has a handful of common causes, ranging from a five-minute fix to a sign of a bigger issue.
If only one faucet is affected, the small mesh screen at the tip (the aerator) may just be clogged with mineral buildup. Unscrewing and cleaning it is often a full fix.
If pressure dropped after any plumbing work, check that the main shut-off valve is fully open.
In older homes with galvanized supply lines, decades of mineral buildup can narrow the inside of the pipe, reducing flow throughout the house — not fixable with cleaning, usually requires repiping the affected sections.
If pressure dropped suddenly and your water bill has also crept up, a hidden leak is a real possibility.
⚠️ Sudden pressure changes can also signal a leak. If your pressure drop is sudden rather than gradual, check for water damage before assuming it's just a fixture issue.