How to Increase Water Pressure

Increasing water pressure seems to be a very difficult task for everyone. There are many causes of low water pressure, but there are also many very simple solutions that you can do yourself. To increase water pressure, you need to determine if the water pressure is weak at just one faucet, or if the pressure is widespread but recent, or if the problem has existed for a long time. The exact solution will depend on the actual problem at hand.

Table of Contents

Fix new weak water pressure

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Solve problems with hot water supply. If only the hot water faucet is under pressure, you should look for the problem with the water heater. These are the most common ways: ^{[1] X Research Sources}

Scale clogs water heaters or hot water supply lines. Flush the tub, then hire a plumber if the problem hasn’t been fixed. To prevent this from happening again, you should periodically replace the anode rod and consider installing a water softener.
Hot water supply hose is too small. In most cases, the piping from the water heater should be at least 19mm in diameter.
Leak in valve or tank. Only repair these locations yourself if the leak is small and you have experience doing this.

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Check for leaky pipes. Leaks are a common cause of low pressure. Do a quick check to find wet spots underneath pipes, especially the main water supply line. Repair detected leaks.

Small wet locations can be caused by condensation. Line some paper towels and come back the next day to check if it’s wet. If the paper is wet, there is a problem with the pipe.

Note: Water supply pipes usually enter from the side of the house in temperate climates, or from basements in cold climates.

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Check the toilet for leaks. The cause may be that the flushing mechanism at the toilet cannot cut off the water flow from the tank down. Put a few drops of food coloring in the water bath and come back in 1-2 hours to check but do not flush. If food coloring flows down the toilet, you need to fix it. Often you just need to replace the valve with a new one or a simple repair will solve the problem.

If you can hear the water flowing continuously then that is definitely the cause of the pressure drop. Learn how to fix this problem.

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Check the water meter to rule out the cause of the leak. If you can’t find any leaks, it’s time to check the water meter to confirm or deny the cause. Close all water valves in the house and read the meter numbers. There are two ways to check for leaks with a meter:

If the dial is triangular or disc-shaped, it means that the water is flowing. Assuming all valves are closed then water has leaked.
Record the meter reading, wait a few hours and do not use water, then check again. If the number on the meter increases, there is a leak.

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Confirm that the master valve is fully open. Find the position of the master valve located near the water meter. If the master valve is partially closed, turn the valve to fully open. This is rarely the cause, but you only need a few minutes to check.

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Consider the pressure relief valve. Houses in low areas are often fitted with a pressure relief valve at the location of the pipeline entering the house. This valve, usually shaped like a bell, helps reduce water pressure to a level safe for the home. With a regular valve model, you can turn the knob or screw on the top of the valve clockwise to increase the pressure. ^{[2] X Research Source} It’s best to only do a few turns and keep in mind the number of turns. Too much rotation can damage the plumbing in your home. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

If adjusting the pressure relief valve doesn’t work, turn off the water supply and remove the valve. You may have to replace part or all of the valve, or just clean the parts. You should look for the manufacturer’s instructions.
Not every home has a pressure relief valve, especially if the city’s water supply has low pressure or the building is located on an elevated area.

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Check the water softener. If you have a water softener installed in your home, try setting it to “pass-through” mode. If the pressure improves, have someone check the water softener. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Increase water pressure at a given faucet

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Clean the filter head. Use pliers to remove the filter from the end of the faucet. Disassemble the filter elements and remember to reassemble. Flush the scale with water, then run the faucet for a few minutes to unclog the pipes. If the filter elements look dirty, soak them in a mixture of white vinegar and water for three hours.

You can clean the shower with the same process.

Tip: To avoid scratches, you should wrap the cloth around the filter before unscrewing it.

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Remove the faucet. If the water at the faucet is still weak, unscrew the nut on the foot and pull the faucet body straight up. You may have to remove the faucet body retainer first.

When working with faucets with a single lever, you will see a screw on each side, underneath the large chrome piece. Make sure these screws are tightened before pulling up the faucet body.

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Fix faucet. Check for problems based on what you see:

If you see seal rings and/or springs at the base of the faucet body, remove them carefully with a screwdriver. Flush to clean scale or replace if damaged.
If you see a more complicated mechanism, look up disassembly instructions online.

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Drain the water through the faucet. Reinstall the faucet after the repair is complete. Use a cup to block the faucet and turn the water on/off a few times. Anything that clogs the tube will be pushed out.

Dealing with weak water pressure has been going on for a long time

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Replace the old water supply pipe. Locate the main water line on the side of the house, or in the basement if you live in a cold climate. If the pipe is silver and metal, the coupling is threaded, then it is a galvanized steel pipe. Old galvanized steel pipes often have mineral buildup or corrosion, which slows down the water flow. Replacing this tube with a copper or plastic pipe can solve the problem.

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Check tube size. Small pipes can cause problems if it doesn’t meet your water needs. As a general rule, the minimum water supply pipe diameter is 19mm, or 25mm if used for homes with 3 or more bathrooms, while 13mm pipes can only be used for one or two extraction points. ^{[5] X Research Resources} Plumbers can advise you more specifically based on your water needs.

Tips: PEX pipe has very thick wall so the inner diameter will be smaller. If you are replacing metal pipes with PEX pipes, choose a larger size than metal pipes. ^{[6] X Research Source}

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Increase inlet water pressure by booster device. If the water pressure is often low, you should call the water company to ask about “static water pressure” in your area. ^{[7] X Research Source} If they answered below 30 psi (2.1 bar), the city’s water supply was to blame. ^{[8] X Research Source} You must purchase and install a water booster to solve this problem, or see the next step.

Warning: If the water pipe is corroded or clogged, pressurizing may cause the pipe to burst.
Higher inlet water pressure may still not solve the problem for tall buildings or houses on hills. 60 psi (4.1 bar) is enough pressure in these cases. ^{[9] X Research Source}
If the water is supplied from a well or a gravity-fed system, this problem needs to be resolved by a professional. ^{[10] X Research Sources}^{[11] X Research Sources}

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Self-check inlet water pressure. Buy a pressure gauge used to attach to the faucet at the main valve position. Make sure no appliances in the house use water, including ice makers and toilets. Attach the meter to the faucet at the master valve and read the pressure. ^{[12] X Research Source}

If the pressure is lower than declared by the water company, this is the cause. Talk to your service provider and/or city water authority to see if they can fix the problem.
If you can’t get them to repair it, install a booster.
Water pressure fluctuates according to demand. Try measuring pressure at other times of the day for a more accurate pressure range.

Advice

While repairing, try opening the watering hose to check the change in water pressure.

Warning

Remember to use high-quality plumbing supplies, and install and inspect plumbing carefully. You may need to apply for a permit. Leaks (immediately or after corrosion) due to poor piping quality or poor installation can expose water to mold. Plumbing work without permission could put your home off the hook until the problem is fixed.

Steps

Fix new weak water pressure

Increase water pressure at a given faucet

Dealing with weak water pressure has been going on for a long time

Advice

Warning

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