# Why is my water pressure low?

_Low water pressure_

Low water pressure is frustrating, and the fix depends on where it's happening. Start by checking whether it's **one fixture**, **the whole house**, or **only the hot water**.

## One faucet or shower

The most common cause along the Wasatch Front is **hard water scale**. Utah's water is hard, and mineral buildup clogs faucet aerators and showerheads over time.

**Try first:** unscrew the aerator at the tip of the faucet, or remove the showerhead, and rinse out the debris. Soaking it in white vinegar for a few hours dissolves scale. If pressure returns, that was it.

If cleaning doesn't help, the fixture's cartridge or supply valve may be clogged or failing.

## The whole house

- **Main shutoff valve not fully open.** This happens often after recent plumbing work. Make sure it's fully open.
- **Pressure reducing valve (PRV).** Most Wasatch Front homes have a PRV where the water line enters the house to protect plumbing from high city pressure. When a PRV fails or drifts, pressure can drop throughout the home, or spike and stress fixtures. PRVs typically last 10 to 15 years.
- **Old galvanized steel pipes.** Common in older Salt Lake City, Bountiful and Davis County homes. Galvanized pipe corrodes from the inside, narrowing the pipe until water can barely get through. Pressure often gets steadily worse over the years.
- **Hidden leak.** A leak in the main line or under the slab can lower pressure. Watch for a higher water bill, damp spots or the sound of running water.
- **City-side issue.** Ask a neighbor. If they have low pressure too, contact your water provider.

## Only the hot water

If cold water is fine but hot is weak, look at the **water heater**: sediment buildup in the tank, scale in a tankless unit, or a partly closed valve. A yearly flush helps, and our **$29 tank water heater flush** is a current special.

## How Aireo helps

Our licensed plumbers test your pressure, find the cause and give you written options before any work starts. Fixes range from a simple aerator or PRV replacement to [repiping](/services/repiping/) for homes with failing galvanized pipe. Our plumbing dispatch fee is **$29**, applied toward any repair you approve.

See [plumbing repair](/services/plumbing-repair-salt-lake-city/), [leak detection](/services/leak-detection-repair/) and [current specials](/specials/), or call [(385) 324-7301](tel:+13853247301).

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Source: https://www.aireohome.com/knowledge/low-water-pressure/
Updated: 2026-10-22T16:24:43Z