8 Common Causes of Low Water Pressure in Mesa Homes (And What to Do Next)

Low water pressure is one of those problems that shows up gradually, until one day the shower just isn't doing its job anymore. A handful of things tend to be behind it, and most of them are worth ruling out before assuming the worst.

Start With the Easy Checks

• A clogged aerator: mineral deposits and sediment build up inside the small screen at the tip of a faucet and slowly choke off the flow. It's one of the most common causes and one of the easiest to fix
• A partially closed shut off valve: if pressure dropped right after any plumbing work, a valve that isn't fully open is worth checking first
• A clogged showerhead: the same mineral buildup that clogs an aerator does the same thing inside a showerhead, especially with Arizona's hard water
• Corroded or aging pipes: older galvanized pipe narrows from the inside as it corrodes over the years, which reduces flow throughout the house
• A hidden leak: a leak anywhere in the system pulls pressure away from your fixtures, sometimes with no visible sign of water
• A failing pressure regulator: many homes have a pressure reducing valve at the main line, and when it starts to fail it can under deliver pressure to the whole house
• Water softener or filter issues: a softener or filter system that's clogged or undersized for the house can restrict flow before it even reaches your fixtures
• A problem with the municipal supply: occasionally the issue isn't inside your home at all, but with the water main or supply pressure on the street

Why Hard Water Makes the List Longer Out Here

The Valley's water is chronically hard, and hard water accelerates just about every item on that list. It builds up on fixtures and inside pipes faster than it would with soft water, which is one of the reasons a water softener is worth considering beyond just the comfort benefits.

What to Do Next

If the pressure drop is isolated to one fixture, an aerator or showerhead is worth checking first, that's a fix most homeowners can handle themselves. If it's happening throughout the house, or came on suddenly, it's worth having a plumber take a look rather than guessing at pipe or valve issues you can't see.

A Few Checks You Can Do Yourself First

Before assuming the worst, a couple of things are safe to check without any tools. Run the hot and cold sides of a fixture separately to see if the drop only shows up on one side, which often points toward the water heater or a shared valve rather than the whole system. Also pay attention to whether the low pressure shows up on just one fixture or throughout the entire house, since that distinction alone narrows the list of usual suspects down quickly.

Why It's Worth Fixing, Not Just Living With

Low pressure isn't just inconvenient. Fixtures and appliances are generally designed to run within a certain pressure range, and years of running below that range can be a sign that something upstream, a valve, a line, or a softener that isn't keeping up, isn't doing its job the way it should. It's usually worth tracking down the cause rather than just turning the shower up and living with it.

When It's the Water Line Itself

Sometimes low pressure points to a bigger issue in the water line itself. Signs like a strange smell you can't place, sewage backing up, or standing water in the yard usually mean something more than a clogged aerator, and those are worth a call right away. Majesty Plumbing repairs and replaces water lines, works with gas lines too, and offers emergency repair when a leak needs attention right away.

What About High Pressure?

It's worth mentioning the opposite problem too, since it's less obvious. By code, water pressure above 80 psi is too high, and if your home is above that line or close to it, a pressure regulator valve (PRV) is the recommended fix. High pressure wears down fixtures and water heaters faster and can lead to leaks over time, so if you've never had your pressure checked, it's worth asking about on your next service visit.

Majesty Plumbing has been serving Queen Creek, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, San Tan Valley and the surrounding East Valley since 2007, and our technicians bring more than 30 years of field experience to pressure and water line issues like these. Call us at (480) 677-2221 and we'll help you track down the cause.