I Thought My Water Pressure Was the Problem — I Was Wrong
Poor water pressure was one of those things I ignored for a while. It started as a small inconvenience, but over time it got to the point where I actually dreaded taking a shower. Like most homeowners, I kept putting off scheduling plumbing service , assuming it was not urgent. But once I looked into it, I realized the problem was not just one thing. Low water pressure is a symptom, and the cause completely determines the fix. A clogged aerator and a failing pressure regulator can both reduce flow, but they need completely different solutions. The First Thing I Checked The first thing I did was try to understand whether I actually had a pressure problem. I picked up a simple water pressure gauge from a hardware store and tested it. Normal residential pressure should sit between 40 and 80 PSI. Mine was under 40, which made it clear something was off. I also learned that anything over 80 can damage pipes and appliances over time. Then I checked multiple fixtures around the house. T...