TOP 10 CAUSES OF LOW WATER PRESSURE AND HOW TO RESOLVE THEM
April 02, 2025
Low water pressure in your home can be an annoyance, but it’s also a sign that something’s going on with your plumbing. It could be a minor issue that’s easily fixed or a sign of larger problems that need to be addressed.
We’ll discuss ten of the most common causes of low water pressure, along with the best remedies to resolve them.
1. CLOGGED PIPES
One of the most common causes of low water pressure is clogged pipes. Clogs are commonly the result of built-up debris and minerals that collect over time but also stem from items that are flushed, poured down the kitchen drain, or come from shower products. Household substances might include grease, hair, soap scum, and food waste.
These types of drain clogs cause low water pressure in your home because they reduce the pipe’s diameter, restricting water flow and reducing the available pressure.
Solutions for clogged pipes: For minor clogs, a plumbing snake or an enzymatic drain cleaner may work. Vinegar or commercial lime removers help with mineral deposits. More severe clogs require a professional plumber who can use techniques like hydro-jetting to blast water through pipes, a motorized drain snake, or chemical treatments.
Suspect you might have a clogged pipe? Learn how Conway’s plumbing services in Memphis, TN, can help.
2. CORRODED PIPES
Older homes likely have galvanized steel pipes that corrode on the inside, leading to accumulated rust and sediment. Similarly, sewer lines are often cast iron, which also corrodes over time from sewer gases and bacteria in wastewater. When these gases and bacteria break down and react with moisture, they turn into sulfuric acid, which eats away at the pipes.
Homes with galvanized steel pipes will show signs of corrosion, like brown, red, or yellow water, a severe metallic taste, and an unpleasant odor.
Solution for corroded pipes: The solution for corroded pipes is to replace them with a modern type of material known to last. The preferred materials are PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) and copper. They are known to have a long lifespan, provide safe drinking water, and resist extreme temperatures and corrosion. And they are flexible enough to handle difficult installations.
3. LEAKING PIPES
Leaking pipes are among the most common causes of low water pressure in your home. Pipe leaks divert water away from the main flow, reducing the volume reaching faucets, showers, and appliances. These leaks may originate from supply lines or drainpipes, but in both instances, they will impact the household water pressure.
Even a small pipe leak can reduce water pressure but can go unnoticed as it gradually worsens. Often, small leaks develop in pipes of the same age in multiple locations, resulting in a larger cumulative drop in pressure.
Homeowners may notice small damp spots on walls, ceilings, or floors as an early indicator of minor leaks. As leaks become more severe, homeowners will notice a rise in water bills despite water consumption remaining the same.
Solution for leaking pipes: Regardless of the size of the leak, it’s important to address it as soon as you detect it. Left unchecked, leaks quickly turn into more costly repairs, including expensive structural issues.
You may be able to fix a minor leak in an exposed area, like a dripping faucet or under-sink connection, with basic tools and instructions, but leaks inside a wall, under your home’s slab, or from underground supply lines should be handled by professional plumbers. These may require special equipment like thermal imaging and acoustic sensors.
Worried you might have a leak? Our leak repair services can restore your water pressure.
4. PARTIALLY CLOSED SHUT-OFF VALVES
If a partially closed shut-off valve is causing low water pressure in your home, the good news is that it’s an easy problem to fix. The bad news is it can be one of the hardest to diagnose and find. There are valves throughout your plumbing, at your taps, showers, and even for appliances like your refrigerator.
This issue often occurs after a recent repair or when a new faucet or appliance is installed. It’s easy to forget to restore the setting or accidentally only partially close a valve without remembering to check.
The real problem with diagnosing the issue is that the valve isn’t calling attention to itself, and the symptoms are the same as those of other, more common causes.
Solution for partially closed valves: Check every valve. For lever-style ball valves, the handle should be parallel to the pipe for an open position. Older gate valves should have a wheel to turn counterclockwise. Be careful with older-looking valves to avoid unintentionally damaging where they connect to the pipe.
5. FAULTY PRESSURE REGULATOR
A water pressure regulator is a component coming off the main supply line designed to maintain consistent, safe water pressure for your home. If this regulator is faulty, it can cause fluctuating or significantly high or low water pressure.
Since these wear out over time, this unit can cause a sudden drop in pressure.
Solution for a faulty pressure regulator: This is an issue best left to a professional plumber. They can diagnose whether the regulator is the source of your problem and know the signs to look for indicating the need to replace the device. When they install a new pressure regulator, they’ll make sure it is set to the optimal pressure level.
Need immediate plumbing assistance? Schedule an appointment or give us a call: 901-248-1961.
6. MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLY ISSUES
Not all water pressure issues are found in your home. Your city or local utility oversees the distribution of a municipal water supply.
If they are performing maintenance, installing an upgrade, or dealing with a system failure, you may panic that something bad has happened with your plumbing, when in reality, the issue could be a water main break or other issue.
Solution for municipal water issues: If you’re unsure why your water pressure has changed, call your local water provider to see if there is a disruption to services.
Depending on the problem, they may issue a notice for homeowners to boil water until the problem is fixed or to let customers know that water will be unavailable for an estimated period. Beyond communicating with your water provider, it’s always beneficial to have bottled water backup.
7. WATER HEATER PROBLEMS
When sediment builds up in your water heater over the years, it leads to multiple issues that can impact your water pressure, including corrosion, partially closed valves, and a failing heating element. This sediment can also travel through your pipes and further cause blockages.
Solution for water heater issues: Having a maintenance plan with a professional plumber to flush your water heater annually is the best way to ensure issues with your water heater don’t reach the point where they can impact your water flow.
If your water heater has reached a point where corrosion or other issues are signs you need a new water heater, it’s much better to have the unit replaced than to risk the impact of leaks, clogs, and other problems.
8. PLUMBING FIXTURE ISSUES
Aging fixtures like faucets and showerheads will accumulate mineral deposits, rust, and other elements over years of use. Fixtures also have components like washers, faucet handles, valve seats, and other parts that eventually wear out or develop small leaks.
Solution for plumbing fixture issues: Showerheads can be descaled by soaking them in a vinegar solution. While cleaning fixtures regularly can prolong their use, improving water pressure may require replacing old fixtures with fixtures designed to current, higher standards.
9. SHARED PLUMBING LINES
You’ve probably experienced this issue at some point. When several members of your household are using water at the same time—and especially if there’s also a washing machine or dishwasher running—you may notice the impact of low water pressure. This is because all of your fixtures and appliances share the same plumbing line.
It’s especially common for the water pressure to drop when multiple sources are in use in older homes, where older pipes have buildup and corrosion left untreated.
Solutions to shared plumbing issues: The most immediate, easiest fix is to stagger use by avoiding running multiple appliances at the same time, scheduling shower times, etc. But there are more satisfying solutions to the problem. A water pressure booster can increase your home’s main water supply pressure, and installing larger-diameter pipes for older homes can improve the pressure level as well.
10. HIGH WATER DEMAND
Similar to what happens when everyone in the same household is trying to use water at the same time, experiencing low water pressure at peak use times is especially common in densely populated areas and apartment complexes.
Most water utilities are able to provide adequate water pressure for average use, but if everyone is attempting to shower, cook, and brew coffee at the same time, there could be thousands of people drawing from the same source all at once, causing a drop in pressure until demand drops.
Solution for high water demand: Running dishwashers, washing machines, and other appliances that require a lot of water at off-peak times helps improve the water pressure for everyone during peak use. Homeowners can also install a pressure booster system to their water line for a steadier water flow, even during peak hours.
TALK TO THE MEMPHIS PLUMBING EXPERTS
Since the drop in your water pressure can be caused by many different issues, you mustn’t just ignore the problem. It could stem from a simple fix or be the sign of a more critical problem. While home maintenance makes a difference in some cases, the best solution is for you to talk to a local professional plumber and have them inspect the condition of your plumbing.
Request an appointment today or call 901-248-1961 to restore your water pressure today.