Why has my home’s water pressure been decreasing gradually over the last few months even though I am on city water and not a well?
Asked by Danilo Silveira 
3 months ago
Last Updated: June 21, 2024
Hey, so I’ve been noticing that the water pressure in my house has been decreasing little by little over the last couple of months, both for hot and cold water. I’m connected to city water, not a well. Any ideas on what could be causing this issue?
Are the pipes galvanized?
PEX piping is a great choice
Is there a blockage in the pipes or a leak in the supply line to your house?
What’s the age of the house? It’s a common issue that occurs every 10, 20, or 30 years, depending on the type of piping you have outside. A leak somewhere from the city shut off to the splits in the city main line to your neighbor can be the cause. In our case, we noticed decreasing water pressure and eventually a puddle forming in our front garden. Luckily, we have friends in the business and our strata is made up of five units, so the $1500 job only cost us 1/5th of that.
‘s house is relatively new, only 8 years old. The plumbing system is made of PEX.
Try shutting off the main water valve in your house to check if the meter is still running.
That trick is pretty clever 😉
Sometimes we need to adjust the pressure reducing valve (PRV) in the crawlspace to account for seasonal changes in water pressure.
I’m not entirely sure what type of pipes you’re dealing with, but if they’re galvanized, there could be some buildup inside causing the issue. The same could happen with PVC or PEX, but I’m not completely certain.
‘s residence was constructed in 2015 and features PEX plumbing. They have not checked with other neighbors to see if they are experiencing the same problem.
Mentioned that he would inquire with others about a similar issue he’s facing with his kitchen faucet. He also shared that he serves as the president of the board for their local WSC water supply company.
Have you noticed any new construction happening nearby?
Get in touch with the water department
A few weeks back, mine was acting up too. Turns out it just needed a good cleaning since there was litter on the screens.
What do you mean by screens?
Pointed out the small screens at the end of the faucet. Take a look at the black item at the tip – mine was filled with grit.
Noted that the issue with water is affecting the entire house, including the showers.
Explained that if a city line is broken, dirt can get into it during repairs. It’s best to start with the easiest access point.
It could be mineral buildup in the pressure regulator. I recently had to call due to low pressure, but fortunately, the leak was located before the meter on their side.
The test nearest to the main should be between 6 and 12 gallons per minute. If it’s lower, you should contact the city.
Chances are you have a pressure reducing valve (PRV) at the entrance of your service. It might be time to check if it needs adjusting or replacing.
Purchase a gauge from Home Depot and check the indoor pressure, which should be around 50-60 pounds. You can also test it at an exterior hose bib, but make sure to check at the laundry sink or washer box as well. It’s likely that your pressure reducer valve is the issue
Possibly the pressure valve needs attention