Part of The Complete Guide to Home Plumbing
If it's just one fixture
The problem is almost always local to that fixture. Check the aerator (the small screen at the tip of a faucet) for mineral buildup or debris — unscrew it and clean it out. For a showerhead, soak it in vinegar to dissolve mineral deposits. For a single faucet that's always been weak, a partially closed shutoff valve under the sink is also a common cause.
If it's the whole house
Check your main water shutoff valve and the pressure regulator (if your home has one) to confirm they're fully open. If your home is on a municipal water meter, a partially closed meter valve can also be the culprit, and your water utility can help check pressure at the street.
Sediment or corrosion in pipes
In older homes with galvanized steel pipes, mineral buildup on the inside of the pipes narrows the passage over decades, gradually reducing pressure throughout the house. This isn't fixable by cleaning — it typically means repiping is the long-term fix.
A hidden leak
A leak elsewhere in the system can reduce pressure everywhere else, since water is escaping before it reaches your fixtures. If pressure dropped suddenly rather than gradually, and especially if paired with an unexplained rise in your water bill, this is worth investigating.
Well water systems
If you're on a private well, low pressure often points to the pressure tank, the well pump itself, or a failing pressure switch — this is usually a call for a well specialist rather than a general plumber.
Not sure which one applies to you?
Tell Queen what you're seeing and get a ranked list of likely causes.