Low Water Pressure: Causes and Fixes

Weak pressure at one faucet is a different problem than weak pressure throughout the whole house, and figuring out which you have narrows the diagnosis considerably.

Single Fixture Only

A clogged aerator or a failing cartridge inside the faucet is the most common cause when only one fixture is affected. This is usually a quick, inexpensive fix.

Whole-House Low Pressure

Corroded galvanized supply lines, common in Chapel Hill's older homes, gradually narrow from the inside and reduce pressure throughout the house. A failing pressure regulator can cause the same symptom.

When Repiping Becomes the Answer

If corrosion is the cause, cleaning or replacing individual sections rarely solves the problem for long; a full or partial repipe is usually the more lasting fix.