What Causes Low Water Pressure in a Home?
Low water pressure can result from a variety of factors, both temporary and systemic. Some of the most common causes include:
- Mineral Buildup in Pipes: Hard water can lead to mineral deposits, such as calcium and magnesium, accumulating inside your pipes. Over time, this narrows water flow and reduces pressure.
- Old Galvanized Pipes: Galvanized steel pipes corrode and rust internally, severely restricting water flow. Homes with older plumbing systems are particularly prone to this issue. Learn more in our detailed article about why you should replace your galvanized plumbing.
- Water Leaks: Hidden leaks in your plumbing system—whether under slabs or within walls—can cause a noticeable drop in water pressure by diverting water away from fixtures. These leaks may develop suddenly or over time.
- Faulty Pressure Regulators: If you have a malfunctioning water pressure regulator, it may fail to maintain proper pressure levels throughout your home.
- Municipal Water Supply Issues: Sometimes, the problem lies outside your home in the municipal water supply. High demand, maintenance, or system outages can temporarily reduce water pressure in your home.

By understanding these causes, you'll be better equipped to identify the source of your low water pressure.
Is Low Water Pressure a Sign of a Plumbing Problem?
Low water pressure can often indicate underlying plumbing problems. There are two types of low water pressure issues to consider:
- Temporary Issues: These include closed valves, a municipal water outage, or sediment buildup from recent maintenance. While frustrating, these problems are usually easy to resolve by opening valves, waiting for the supply to be restored, adjusting water usage patterns, or fixing individual faulty components within the plumbing system.
- Systemic Problems: Persistent low water pressure is often caused by systemic plumbing issues, such as corroded pipes or slab leaks. These problems tend to worsen over time and may require significant intervention, such as a full home repipe. For more details on systemic causes of low water pressure, read our Ultimate Guide to Low Water Pressure.
To determine whether the issue is temporary or systemic, start with the basics: check your valves, clean faucet filters, and monitor water pressure changes over a few days. Persistent issues usually require a professional assessment.
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Can a Water Leak Lead to Low Water Pressure?
Yes, even a small water leak can significantly impact your home's water pressure. Water escaping through leaks often causes a noticeable decrease in pressure.
Hidden leaks within walls, under slabs, or in other hard-to-access areas can go unnoticed for long periods and may only become apparent when they cause a persistent drop in pressure or visible damage.
Signs of a potential water leak include unexplained increases in your water bill, damp spots on walls or ceilings, and the sound of running water when fixtures are turned off. Addressing leaks promptly is crucial not only to restore water pressure but also to prevent structural damage to your home.
Do Older Pipes Cause Low Water Pressure?
Older pipes, particularly those made of galvanized steel, are a common cause of low water pressure.
Over time, these pipes corrode internally, creating rust that narrows the internal diameter and restricts water flow. This leads to reduced water pressure at all fixtures in your home.

In addition, older pipes are more prone to leaks and blockages. Replacing them with modern materials such as PEX or copper is often the most effective solution.
How Can I Fix Low Water Pressure?
The solution to low water pressure depends on its cause. For more details, we have an article that breaks down specific solutions for different causes of low water pressure.
Temporary Plumbing Issues
If low water pressure is caused by temporary factors, the fixes are often straightforward. Start by ensuring that all water supply valves in your home are fully open. Partially closed valves can significantly reduce water flow.
Next, examine faucet aerators and showerheads— mineral buildup caused by hard water is a common culprit. Remove these fixtures and give them a thorough cleaning to restore water flow.
Additionally, if local maintenance has recently been performed on your water supply, flushing your plumbing system can help clear out any silt or debris that may have entered the pipes.
Systemic Plumbing Issues
Systemic issues significantly restrict water flow throughout your home, so the damaged pipes must be replaced.
Upgrading outdated pipes with modern materials like PEX tubing or copper can not only restore pressure but also enhance the overall durability and reliability of your plumbing system.
For systemic plumbing issues, a complete home repipe is the best long-term solution. Replacing all old or damaged pipes with high-quality materials ensures consistent water pressure and provides peace of mind for years to come.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix Low Water Pressure?
The cost of addressing low water pressure varies widely depending on the underlying cause. Temporary fixes, such as cleaning aerators or replacing a pressure regulator, can cost between $100 and $500.
For systemic plumbing issues, the cost of a full home repipe falls somewhere between $4,500 for a two-bedroom, one-bath house and up to $15,000 for a much larger, more complex job.
All of our repipes use Uponor PEX-A tubing and American-made Type L copper pipes, depending on our clients' personal preferences. If you're unsure which material would be best for your home, you can read our article on whether you should repipe with copper piping or PEX tubing.
A Repipe Specialist consultant would be happy to explain all your options, either in person or through a remote consultation session. Schedule a free repipe quote.
Receive a Free Quote for Your Home Repipe
Here at Repipe Specialists, we've fully replaced the plumbing in over 75,000 homes since 1991, and we very often get positive feedback from our customers at how pleased they are with their fast-flowing, high-pressure water, post-repipe. We often exceed their expectations on:
- Speed: Our repipe crews typically complete a repipe in a day, returning on another day for wall patching.
- Convenience: Through our One-Stop Repipe™ Process, we handle everything from permits, to wall patching, to inspections.
- Cleanliness: Our crews are trained to protect your home while working (we cover all surfaces with protective sheeting), and to clean up fully at the end of each day.
- Peace of Mind: Repipe Specialists is a fully licensed plumber in every state we operate in, and we back all of our repipes with a lifetime warranty.
- Financing programs: To help take the sting out of unplanned repipe expenses, we offer several financing programs.
- Price: As a specialist that performs hundreds of repipes a week, we can deliver high-quality repipes at a lower cost vs generalist plumbers. We have an article that covers repipe cost factors in detail.
Schedule a free in-home consult, and one of our local repipe consultants will explain all your repipe options and provide you with a written, fixed-price quote. Replace your pipes and leave low water pressure problems in the past.