How do I increase low water pressure in my home?
First, check whether the low pressure affects one fixture or the whole house. If just one fixture is low, clean the aerator or showerhead; mineral buildup is the most common cause in the Inland Empire. If the whole house is low, check that the main shut-off valve is fully open, then test pressure at an outside hose bib with a gauge from any hardware store. Normal is about 50 to 70 PSI, and anything over 80 PSI is too high. Below 40 PSI can mean a failing pressure regulator, a partly closed valve, a leak, or old pipe.
Step by step: finding the cause of low water pressure
- Confirm it is your home, not the street: Ask your neighbors if their pressure is normal. If everyone on your block has low pressure, call your water provider. If it's only your house, the problem is on your property.
- Check whether it is one fixture or all: If only one faucet or shower is weak, the problem is that fixture, usually a clogged aerator or showerhead. If every fixture is weak, the issue is on the main line into the house.
- Check the main shut-off valve: Find the main shut-off (usually on an outside wall at the front of the house, where the line comes up from the street, often next to the pressure regulator). Make sure it's fully open. A valve that's been half-closed for years is a common, easy-to-miss cause.
- Check the pressure regulator: Many Inland Empire homes have a pressure-reducing valve (PRV) where the water line enters the house. Hard water wears regulators out over time, so an older one may have failed. We recommend testing your regulator once a year. A gauge that screws onto an outdoor hose bib tells you exactly what pressure you're getting (normal is 50-70 PSI).
- Look for hidden leaks: A slab leak or buried-line leak can lower pressure throughout the house. Read your water meter. Don't use any water for 30 to 60 minutes. Read it again. If it moved, you have a leak. See our guide on how to check your home for water leaks.
- Consider pipe corrosion: In older Inland Empire homes (mostly built before the 1970s), galvanized steel pipes corrode internally and shrink the inside diameter. The fix is repiping with PEX or copper. If your home is old and the pressure has gradually dropped over years, this is likely the cause.
When to call Sweetwater: If the regulator has failed, you've found a leak, or your pipes are old galvanized steel, call (909) 312-4516 or text (909) 247-6791. We replace pressure regulators, find hidden leaks, and repipe homes with PEX or copper.
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