Why Is My Water Pressure Low? Causes and Solutions Explained
Understanding Low Water Pressure: A Homeowner’s Guide to Diagnosis and Repair
You’ve noticed it while showering: the water flow isn’t as strong as it should be. Filling the washing machine takes longer. Rinsing dishes feels like it’s taking forever. Low water pressure affects everything from your daily routines to the efficiency of your home’s plumbing system. At East Texas Leak Locators & Plumbing Services, low water pressure complaints are among the most common calls we receive from homeowners throughout East Texas. For years, we’ve diagnosed and fixed water pressure problems ranging from simple aerator clogs to serious leaks that require professional leak detection. The frustrating part about low water pressure is that the cause isn’t always obvious—it could be something quick to fix, or it could signal a more serious underlying issue. Normal residential water pressure should fall between 40 and 80 pounds per square inch (PSI), with 50-60 PSI feeling ideal. If your pressure has dropped below this range, something in your plumbing system needs attention. This guide explains the most common causes of low water pressure, how to identify which problem you’re facing, and when professional help is essential for long-term solutions.
1. Common Causes of Low Water Pressure in Your Home
Closed or Partially Closed Valves One of the simplest—and most overlooked—causes of low water pressure is a shut-off valve that isn’t fully open. Check your main water shut-off valve (usually near where the water line enters your home) and the valve on your water meter. Both should be fully open. If either is partially closed, even slightly, it will reduce pressure throughout your entire home.
Clogged or Corroded Aerators and Fixtures The screen inside your faucet aerator can accumulate mineral deposits and sediment, restricting water flow. Similarly, corroded fixtures can develop internal blockages. In many cases, simply unscrewing and cleaning the aerator with vinegar restores normal flow. If cleaning doesn’t help, the fixture may need replacement.
Leaking Pipes Hidden leaks inside walls, under floors, or in your yard divert water away from fixtures, reducing pressure where you need it. Even small pinhole leaks can cause noticeable pressure drops. If you suspect a leak, check your water meter—if it continues running when all faucets are off, you have a leak somewhere in your system.
Corroded or Clogged Pipes Older homes with galvanized steel plumbing or mineral-laden “hard water” pipes can develop internal corrosion and scale buildup that restricts water flow. This is particularly common in East Texas, where water quality varies by location. Corroded pipes require professional diagnosis and often need replacement to fully restore pressure.
Faulty Pressure Regulator A pressure regulator valve controls incoming water pressure to protect your pipes and fixtures. If it malfunctions or becomes misadjusted, your pressure can drop significantly. A plumber can test and adjust or replace this valve.
Water Heater Issues If only hot water has low pressure while cold water is normal, your water heater may be struggling to keep up with demand or may have internal corrosion. Sediment buildup inside the tank can also reduce flow.
2. Diagnostic Steps You Can Take Now
Test Individual Fixtures vs. Whole House Is the pressure low everywhere or just in one or two places? This distinction matters. If it’s just one faucet or showerhead, the problem is likely local to that fixture. If it’s throughout your home, the issue is likely with your main water supply or internal plumbing.
Check Hot vs. Cold Water Turn on cold water at a sink. Then test hot water separately. If cold water pressure is normal but hot water is low, the issue is your water heater. If both are equally low, the problem is likely in your main water supply or distribution pipes.
Listen for Air in Pipes Trapped air in your plumbing can cause reduced pressure. If you hear knocking or banging sounds, you may have air in the system. To flush it, turn on all faucets in your home (starting from lowest floors to highest), let them run for a couple minutes, then turn them off. This can sometimes restore normal pressure.
3. When to Call a Professional
While some water pressure issues are simple fixes you can handle, others require professional equipment and expertise. If you’ve checked your visible valves and cleaned aerators without success, or if you suspect a hidden leak, it’s time to call East Texas Leak Locators & Plumbing Services. We have the tools to diagnose problems quickly and accurately, including leak detection equipment that finds hidden leaks without tearing apart your walls or yard.
Get Your Water Pressure Back to Normal
Low water pressure might seem like a minor inconvenience, but it often signals something more serious—like a hidden leak that’s costing you money every day. The longer you wait to diagnose the problem, the more damage potential leaks can cause.
East Texas Leak Locators & Plumbing Services provides complete water pressure diagnosis and repair. We use modern, non-invasive detection methods to find hidden leaks quickly, and we can fix everything from simple aerator clogs to complex plumbing issues.
Contact East Texas Leak Locators & Plumbing Services today. Contact us for prompt diagnosis and professional repair. Don’t live with weak water pressure—let us restore your home’s water flow today.