Key Takeaways
- Start with the basics: make sure all shutoff valves are fully open, clean your aerators and showerheads, and replace any clogged faucet cartridges.
- Next, look for house-wide issues like a pressure-reducing valve that is not set correctly, sediment buildup in your water heater, or a hidden leak.
- In older homes with galvanized or mixed-metal lines, chronic low pressure often points to internal pipe corrosion and a need for repiping
Charlottesville’s older homes have plenty of character, but their plumbing can sometimes cause weak showers, sputtering faucets, or appliances that just do not work as well as they should. If you have noticed your water pressure dropping, the solution could be a quick fix, or it might mean it is time to update your pipes. Here is a simple guide to help you troubleshoot the problem and decide if repiping is the right long-term answer for your home.
Quick DIY Checks You Can Do Today
Before you call a plumber, check the simple things first.
- Check that your main shutoff valve and all fixture stops are fully open
- Unscrew your faucet aerators and showerheads, soak them in white vinegar, and rinse away any grit or buildup
- If you have a whole-home or under-sink filter, replace it if it is overdue
- If you notice only your hot water is weak, try flushing sediment from your water heater and make sure the outlet valve is open
These simple resets restore normal flow surprisingly often and set the stage for deeper diagnostics if the problem persists.
Is It One Fixture, One Room, Or The Whole House?
Figuring out where the problem is happening can help you find the cause more quickly.
- If only one fixture has low pressure, it is usually a clogged aerator, showerhead, or a worn-out cartridge.
- If it is just one room, check for a partially closed stop valve, a kinked supply line, or mineral buildup in that area.
- The whole house has a mis-adjusted pressure-reducing valve (PRV), a failing PRV, sediment in the water heater, a hidden leak, or aging piping.
This quick guide helps you decide if you should keep troubleshooting or consider a whole-home solution.
Pressure-Reducing Valves And Hidden Leaks
Charlottesville homes on city water typically have a PRV to keep pressure in the safe range. Over time, PRVs drift low, stick, or fail. A gauge at an outdoor spigot shows where you stand; most homes feel right around 50–60 psi. If pressure reads fine but fixtures still slow down, check for leaks. According to the EPA WaterSense program, common household leaks waste surprising amounts of water every day, and fixing them can restore performance while cutting utility costs. If your meter moves during a no-use period, schedule leak detection before replacing parts.
Older Pipes And When Repiping Makes Sense
Many vintage Charlottesville houses still have galvanized steel or mixed-metal sections. Inside those old lines, corrosion and mineral deposits shrink openings over decades, starving fixtures even when everything else is perfect. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, dissolved calcium and magnesium create limescale that accumulates in plumbing and appliances, which explains why older lines often deliver weaker flow. If you see rust flakes in aerators, frequent pinhole leaks, or pressure that swings wildly between floors, it is time to price a targeted or whole-home repipe rather than chasing symptoms.
When To Move From Repairs To Repiping
Use three signals to make the call.
- Low pressure returns soon after minor fixes
- Multiple leaks or rust-tinged water show up in different parts of the house
- Pressure varies a lot between floors or when two fixtures run at once
If you notice all three of these signs, repiping is usually a better investment than making the same repairs over and over. You will enjoy stronger, quieter water flow, cleaner water at your taps, and fewer unexpected problems.
How We Helped Jennifer With Her Water Pressure Maintenance
Here’s how we helped Jennifer when she needed help with water pressure maintenance:
“Malec did an amazing job; I cannot recommend him and this company highly enough. I thought I was just getting a quick in-and-out estimate, but he came in, reviewed everything, answered my questions, accepted my decisions, retrieved items, and installed everything in a single day. He was incredibly polite, and I believe areas of my home are cleaner than how he found them. I received a water filtration system, a valve to assist with pressure maintenance, and a new toilet. I will use them again for any plumbing needs and recommend them to everyone I know.”
You can read the full review here.
Call The Otter Guys
If low pressure is wearing you down, we can help. The Otter Guys will test pressure and flow, check your PRV, flush and service the water heater, hunt down leaks, and give you a straight answer on repair versus repiping. When repiping is the smart move, we handle the project cleanly and with minimal disruption so your Charlottesville home feels new behind the walls. Tell us what you are seeing on our contact page, and we will build a no-nonsense plan to get your water pressure back where it belongs.
