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Plumbing · Can wait

Low water pressure? Here’s what to do.

One weak faucet is usually the faucet. The whole house at once can be the city main, so check that first.

First, this

  1. One faucet: clean the strainer. If one faucet is weak, rinse the deposits off its strainer. Calcium carbonate from the water can build up in faucet strainers. Source
  2. Brown water after city work. If water turns brown or red after nearby line repairs, run the faucet until it clears. If it doesn't clear within several minutes, call Longview's water and sewer emergency line at 903-236-3030. Source
  3. Whole house: it may be the main. If pressure drops across the whole house, a city main problem may be the cause. Report main leaks in Longview at 903-236-3030, or call Tyler after hours at (903) 597-6541. Source
A hand turning on a chrome lever faucet over a white basin.
Photo: Diva Plavalaguna, Pexels

Usually one to plan.

Call now(city line first): no water at all, or a sudden whole-house loss of pressure with visible water in the street or yard.
TodayA sudden whole-house drop with no city work or main break reported.
Can waitOne fixture slowly weakening, or long-standing low pressure in an older home.

Before you call

Safety first
  • High pressure is a hazard too: most plumbing codes require a pressure-reducing valve when supply pressure exceeds 80 psi, because higher pressure can rupture pipes and damage fixtures. Source
  • Do not turn the city's valve at the meter or curb. Longview allows only city employees or licensed plumbers to operate water valves; Tyler's service agreement forbids tampering with meters and valves. Source
What to tell the plumber
  • Whole house or one fixture; hot, cold, or both.
  • Sudden or gradual, and whether neighbors are affected.
  • Whether you have a pressure-reducing valve and where it is.
  • Age of the home and pipe material if known (galvanized steel, copper, plastic).
What it costs

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Worth knowing

60 psi

or less: service pressure that makes leaks and burst hoses less likely.

80 psi

above which most plumbing codes require a pressure-reducing valve.

The top three

Google profiles don’t name this job. Vora checks who takes it when you ask.

Pither Plumbing

4.8★ (793) · Longview · Open 24 hours

Photo: google.com

Jennings Plumbing

5.0★ (137) · Flint · Open 24 hours

Photo: jenningsplumbingllc.comAI-enhanced

We don’t do the work. Reviews are for each plumber, from Google.

See the list

Step by step

The help pages for this, with when to stop.

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