Why is my water pressure low?

Wondering what's going on in there?

How water gets to your faucet, in plain English

Water travels from the street, through a meter, into your house, and out through a lot of valves on the way to each faucet. A problem anywhere along that path lowers the pressure for everything after it.

Each number matches a step below.

The city main. The water company's big pipe under the street. Work or a break here lowers pressure for the whole street.
The meter. Measures what you use. In many towns, the water company's part ends here.
The main water line. The underground pipe from the meter to your house. A leak or crack here steals pressure.
The main shutoff. The valve that turns off all your water. It should be all the way open.
The pressure valve. A bell-shaped valve many homes have. It lowers high city pressure to a safe level, and it can wear out.
The water heater. All your hot water passes through it, so buildup inside only affects the hot side.
Each faucet. Its own small valves underneath, and a screen at the tip that can clog.

That's why the first question asks where it's low. One faucet points to that faucet. Only hot points to the water heater. The whole house points to something before the pipes split up.

Hot water weak and something else wrong with the heater? Our guide to a water heater that's not making hot water can help.

Faucet dripping too? Our guide to a dripping or leaking faucet covers the cartridge and the washer.

Who to call

Rather not do it yourself? Call a plumber.

That's a fine choice. Maybe you're busy. Maybe you're selling the house and just want it done right. A plumber can find what's slowing your water down and fix it.

$45–$200Plumber, by the hour

$200–$700New pressure valve

Most plumbers charge $45–$200 an hour, and some add a fee to come out. Neighbors have low pressure too? Call your water company first. That's free.

Find plumbers near you

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What to say

Calling a pro? Here's what to say.

A few lines to read when they pick up, and the questions to ask before anyone comes out.

Before you call

Rent? Call your landlord first.

Home warranty? Call them first.

4.5 stars or more, and a license number.

Say this

Hi. My water pressure is low. When's the soonest you can get here? And what's your fee for the visit? Does it go toward the repair?

Always ask

What's your fee to come out, and does it go toward the repair?
Do you charge by the job or by the hour?
Will you tell me the full price before you start any work?

Watch out if

They push a full replacement on the first visit for a small problem.
They won't give you a price before starting.
They add an emergency fee without telling you first.

Feeling pushed to decide on the spot? You can say no and hang up. You owe nothing for a phone call.

Know what's wrong before they come

Answer up to 5 quick questions. We'll give you the words a pro uses.

Answer the questions →

More of a list person?

Common pressure problems, causes, tests and costs

Find the row that sounds like yours. The quick test is something you can check yourself in a few minutes.

What you notice	What it probably is	Quick test	Do it yourself	With a pro	Verdict
Low pressure at your house and your neighbors'	The water company's supply is low	Ask a neighbor; check for a notice	Pro job	$45–$200	CALLSee the answer: The water company's supply is low
Low or up-and-down pressure on a well	The well pump or pressure tank needs a look	Look at the gauge on the pressure tank, if it has one	Pro job	$45–$200	CALLSee the answer: The well pump or pressure tank needs a look
One faucet weak; stronger without the screen	The faucet screen or shower head is clogged	Unscrew the aerator and run the water	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The faucet screen or shower head is clogged
One faucet weak; a valve under it was partly closed	The valve under the sink was partly closed	Turn the valves under the sink to the left	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The valve under the sink was partly closed
One faucet weak; screen clean; valves open	Something is clogged inside the faucet or shower valve	None. The part is inside the handle	Pro job	$45–$200	CALLSee the answer: Something is clogged inside the faucet or shower valve
Only hot water weak; the heater's cold valve was partly closed	The valve at the water heater was partly closed	Check the valve on the cold pipe into the heater	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The valve at the water heater was partly closed
Only hot water weak, at every faucet	Buildup or a problem in the water heater	Compare hot and cold at a few faucets	Pro job	$45–$200	CALLSee the answer: Buildup or a problem in the water heater
Whole house weak; main valve partly closed	The main water valve was partly closed	Check the main shutoff valve	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The main water valve was partly closed
Meter moves with all the water off	There's a hidden leak	Watch the meter with everything off	Pro job	$45–$200	CALLSee the answer: There's a hidden leak
Whole house weak; bell-shaped valve on the main line	The pressure valve is wearing out	Pressure gauge on an outdoor spigot	Pro job	$200–$700	CALLSee the answer: The pressure valve is wearing out
Whole house weak; old gray pipes	Old pipes are clogged inside	Look at the pipes near the main valve	Pro job	$3,000–$16,000	CALLSee the answer: Old pipes are clogged inside
Whole house weak; no pressure valve; newer pipes	The main water line has a problem	Look for soggy ground between the meter and the house	Pro job	$400–$5,000	CALLSee the answer: The main water line has a problem

2026 U.S. averages, rounded. Pro prices include parts and labor. Most plumbers charge $45–$200 an hour, and some add a fee to come out. Nights, weekends and big cities cost more. See all repair prices

Want proof it's your pressure?

The pressure gauge test

A screw-on water pressure gauge costs a few dollars at a hardware store. It turns "feels weak" into a number you can tell a plumber.

Turn off every faucet and anything that uses water.
Screw the gauge onto an outdoor spigot by hand.
Turn the spigot on all the way and read the gauge.

40 to 80 PSI: normal for a home (Bob Vila). If faucets still feel weak, look at the faucets or the pipes inside.
Under 40 PSI: low. Check the main valve and the pressure valve, and ask your water company what's normal on your street.
Over 80 PSI: too high, which can hurt pipes and appliances. Ask a plumber about the pressure valve.

Not sure it's safe to wait?

Turn off the main water valve right away if…

You see water on a ceiling, wall or floor you can't explain.
Water is pooling or bubbling up in the yard between the meter and the house.
You hear water running with every faucet off.

Then call a plumber. If your water company sends a boil-water notice after a main break, follow it.

Got a big plumber's quote?

Is the price fair?

Most low-pressure fixes are free: a clean screen or an open valve. The plumber jobs range a lot, so it helps to know the numbers.

A new pressure valve: HomeAdvisor lists $200–$700, about $400 on average.
The main water line: HomeGuide lists $400–$1,500 to repair it and $2,000–$5,000 to replace it.
New pipes in the whole house: Modernize lists $3,000–$16,000. Ask if replacing the worst sections first would help.

Example: $400 for a new pressure valve is fair. Being told you need all new pipes before anyone has tested the pressure is worth a second opinion.

Ran into a word you don't know?

Water pressure words, explained

The drawings show roughly what each part looks like.

Aerator: The small screen at the tip of a faucet. It catches grit and can clog.
Shower head: Where shower water comes out. Mineral crust can clog its holes.
Shutoff valves: The two small valves under a sink, one for hot and one for cold.
Main shutoff valve: The valve where the water line enters your home. It turns off all the water.
Water meter: Measures the water you use. Its small dial moves when any water is flowing.
Pressure-reducing valve (PRV): A bell-shaped valve on the main line that lowers high city pressure to a safe level.
PSI (pounds per square inch): How water pressure is measured. Homes are usually 40 to 80.
Pressure gauge: A small dial that screws onto a spigot and shows your water pressure.
Galvanized pipe: Gray steel pipe with screw-together joints, common in older homes. It rusts inside over time.
Sediment: Minerals that settle to the bottom of a water heater over the years.
Pressure tank: On a well, the tank that holds water under pressure so it flows evenly.
Cartridge: The part inside a faucet handle that controls the flow and mixes hot and cold.

Still have questions?

Questions people ask most

Why is my water pressure suddenly low? Will it fix itself?

Sudden low water pressure is often the water company's problem, like work on the lines or a broken main, and it usually comes back once repairs are done. Ask a neighbor first. If they're low too, call the water company. If it's just you, check that the main valve is all the way open, then look for a leak. Leaks, clogs and worn valves don't fix themselves.

Is low water pressure an emergency?

Low water pressure is usually not an emergency, but unexplained water on a floor, wall or ceiling is. Then turn off the main water valve and call a plumber. Act fast too if water bubbles up in the yard, or you hear water running with every faucet off. If your water company sends a boil-water notice, follow it.

Is low water pressure a sign of a leak?

Low water pressure can be a sign of a leak, especially when it drops suddenly. To check, turn off every faucet and anything that uses water, then read your water meter. EPA WaterSense says to read it again two hours later. If it moved at all, you probably have a leak, so call a plumber.

Why is the pressure low in just my shower?

Low pressure in just the shower usually means a clogged shower head. Take it off and run the water. If it's much stronger, soak the head in vinegar. If not, the valve inside the handle may be clogged.

Why is my kitchen sink pressure low?

Low pressure at the kitchen sink usually means the screen at the tip of the faucet is clogged. Unscrew it and rinse it. Then check that both valves under the sink are all the way open.

Why is only my hot water pressure low?

When only the hot water pressure is low, check the valve on the cold pipe into the water heater. If it's open, there may be buildup in the tank. Flushing it means scalding water, so call a plumber.

Why is my water pressure low only upstairs?

Water pressure is lower upstairs because the water has to be pushed up. The Village of Indian Hill, Ohio, says each foot of height costs about 0.43 psi, so a floor 10 feet up loses about 4 psi. If upstairs is much weaker than that, a clogged faucet screen, old pipes or a worn pressure valve may be adding to it.

Can low water pressure affect my toilet, dishwasher, ice maker or water heater?

Yes, low water pressure can make all of these work poorly. Whirlpool says ice makers need 30 to 120 psi, and low pressure makes small or hollow cubes. Samsung says dishwasher pressure under 20 psi can make its water valve fail. A toilet tank refills slowly, and Noritz says a tankless water heater won't turn on below its minimum flow.

What's normal water pressure, and what counts as low?

Normal water pressure for a house is 40 to 80 psi, Bob Vila says, so under 40 psi counts as low. You can check it with a screw-on gauge at an outdoor spigot.

Can I adjust the pressure valve myself?

It's best to have a licensed plumber adjust the pressure valve, Bob Vila says. Setting it too high can damage pipes, faucets and the water heater.

How much does it cost to fix low water pressure?

Fixing low water pressure can cost nothing, like cleaning a faucet screen or opening a valve. New pipes can cost thousands. A new pressure-reducing valve costs $200–$700 put in, about $400 on average, HomeAdvisor and Angi say. HomeGuide puts it lower, at $150–$350. Angi says a booster pump averages about $800. HomeGuide puts small pipe leak repairs at $150–$500, and new pipes for a whole house at $3,900–$7,500.

Who do I call for low water pressure, the city or a plumber?

Call your water company first if your neighbors have low pressure too, since the problem is probably on their side. In many towns, the water company handles the pipe up to the meter, and you handle everything after it. For anything inside the house, call a plumber. With a well, call a well pump company.

How we built this

The questions follow the order a plumber checks low water pressure: where it's low, then the faucet tip and the valves, then the neighbors, the main valve, the meter, and the pressure valve. Each answer makes some causes more likely and others less likely.

Prices are 2026 national averages from published repair-cost guides, rounded. Your local prices will differ.

How we make money: some links go to parts stores that pay us a small commission, and some pro listings pay us when you call them. Verdicts come from the diagnosis, not from who pays more.