Causes of Low Water Pressure that You Can Fix Yourself

A Clogged Aerator
If you noticed that your faucet water is coming out slowly, it could be as simple as a clogged aerator, which is a small device at the tip of your faucet that mixes air into the water stream. If debris or mineral buildup occurs, it can clog. 

How to Fix A Clogged Aerator Yourself
You can unscrew the aerator and soak the parts in white vinegar to dissolve mineral buildup. After soaking, use a pin to clear any remaining debris from the screens, rinse and reassemble. Flush the faucet first by running water without the aerator to clear the spout.

A Closed Shut-off  Valve
A partially closed shut-off valve is a common issue and can restrict water flow. It might be as simple as someone has shut it off (perhaps during a repair) and you just need to reopen it. 

How to Open A Shut-off Valve Yourself
This valve would be located next to your water meter, usually in your basement or under your kitchen sink. Once you locate the valve, turn it on. If there are issues with your shut off valve, such as it being stuck, leaky, or broken, you can also replace the shutoff valve yourself depending on your comfort level. 

Causes of Low Water Pressure that Are Best Left to the Pros

Water Pipe Issues
Old pipes, corroded pipes or leaking pipes can also cause low water pressure. Watch for rusty or discolored water, hearing weird noises from your pipes, or seeing damp spots on exposed pipes to see if this might be the culprit. This is an instance where you want to call a professional.

Faulty Pressure Regulators
A faulty pressure regulator could also be part of your water pressure problem. If you seem to get either very high or very low water pressure, hear banging noises from your pipes, or see leaks around the valve, this is the time to call us. We can use a pressure gauge to see what is going on. Another time to call would be if you think you have water heater issues. Low water pressure, especially for hot water, often stems from sediment buildup in the tank and pipes, restricting water flow. 

Municipal Supply Issues
Most outside factors causing low water pressure are beyond your control. They can be due to municipal supply issues; a shared pipeline problem which is common in Pittsburgh; a main water line break and seasonal reasons (more water used in the summer). If your neighbors are also having water pressure issues, this is a good indicator that it’s not a problem solely in your house. 

Working With a Plumber to Fix Water Pressure Issues
Low water pressure has many causes, from simple fixes to serious plumbing issues, and at Terry’s Plumbing, we’ve solved these problems for decades. Give us a call and we’ll diagnose the problem and get your pressure back to normal.