Measure it before you guess
A pressure gauge with a hose-thread fitting is inexpensive and takes five minutes. Weak feeling is not the same as low psi.
- 1
Turn everything off
Close all taps, stop the washer and dishwasher, and make sure no irrigation zone is running.
- 2
Attach the gauge
Screw it onto an outdoor hose bib, ideally the one closest to where the water enters the house, and open the bib fully.
- 3
Read the static pressure
Most homes fall between about 40 and 80 psi. Below 40 feels weak, and above 80 is hard on fixtures and appliances.
- 4
Read it again with water running
Open an indoor tap and watch the needle. A big drop means the supply or the regulator cannot keep up.
- 5
Write both numbers down
Any plumber or water provider will ask for them. A second reading at a different bib shows if the problem is local.
One fixture or the whole house
Where the weakness shows up tells you where to look.
| What you notice | Likely cause | First check |
|---|---|---|
| One faucet or showerhead weak | Scale in aerator or shower spray holes | Unscrew and clean or soak it |
| Only hot water is weak | Water heater valve, scale in the tank or hot lines | Check heater shutoff, compare with cold |
| Weak at every tap, gauge reads low | Main valve partly closed, failing regulator or service line leak | Check the main valve, then the regulator |
| Gauge reads high, then drops with use | Regulator failing or clogged strainer | Look at the regulator near the main |
| Pressure fell suddenly, wet ground outside | Leak on the line to the house | Meter test, call right away |
| Several neighbors report the same | Provider issue in your area | Call Marana Water |
Desert scale and the Marana water systems
Town of Marana Water runs several systems, and their published hardness ranges from roughly 3 to 14 grains per gallon depending on the neighborhood. The Town says hardness poses no health risk but leaves deposits on fixtures. In a 12 GPG area, expect aerators to clog sooner than in a 5 GPG area, so clean them first.
The Town says several different water providers operate within its limits. Check your bill to see who supplies you before you call anyone. For leaks or sewer issues after hours, weekends and holidays, Marana Water lists (520) 235-4381.
Pressure questions about the street supply go to Marana Water. If a hose bib at the meter reads normal and your indoor taps are weak, the cause is likely inside your property line.
Causes in order of how often they turn up
Start at the top. The cheap checks come first.
Partly closed valve
The main shutoff, the meter valve or an angle stop under a sink may not be fully open. A valve left half-turned after a repair is a classic cause.
Scale in aerators and showerheads
Hard water crusts the small holes. Soak the parts in vinegar and brush them. If pressure returns, the fixture was the problem.
Failing pressure reducing valve
The bell-shaped regulator near the main steps down street pressure. As it wears, pressure can swing high or sag low.
Clogged inlet strainers
Small screens in faucets, washer hoses and the regulator trap grit. Turn water off before removing them.
Leak on the service line
Water escaping between the meter and the house robs pressure from the whole home. It often shows up as a spinning meter with everything off.
Old galvanized pipe
Older steel pipe narrows inside from rust. It is less common in newer desert homes but possible in older ones.
What the gauge number is telling you
Use the static reading, taken with all water off, as your starting point.
| Gauge reading | What it suggests | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40 psi | Supply, regulator or leak problem | Check valves, then call if they are open |
| 40 to 80 psi, taps still weak | Restriction at the fixture or in branch pipes | Clean aerators, check stops |
| Over 80 psi | Regulator failed or set too high | Call for a regulator test |
| Needle jumps or creeps upward at night | Regulator or thermal expansion issue | Call, since it can stress the water heater |
Is it your pipes or your water provider?
Pressure that is low at the meter and low at every neighbor's house is a provider matter. Marana Water can tell you whether a main repair, flushing or system work is under way. You can reach them at (520) 382-2570 from 8 AM to 4 PM.
If your gauge reads fine at the meter side but poor inside, the cause is on your property. A reading taken before and after the regulator, when a plumber can reach both points, separates the two cleanly.
Weak hot water only
When cold is strong and hot is weak, the problem is between the tank and the tap. A partly closed heater shutoff, scale in the heater outlet or a clogged mixing valve can all choke the flow. If the heater is in a hot attic or garage, take care working near it, and have a plumber handle anything that involves draining the tank or power.
Our water heater repair team can look at hot-side flow when the cold side is fine.
Do these in order before calling
A short checklist saves a visit.
- Open the main shutoff and meter valve fully.
- Compare hot and cold at the same faucet.
- Clean the aerator on the weakest tap.
- Take a gauge reading with all water off.
- Do the meter test: all water off, look for movement.
- Ask a neighbor whether their pressure changed too.
When to call a plumber
Call when the gauge reads under 40 or over 80, when the regulator is humming or leaking, or when the meter moves with everything off. A regulator swap and a buried line leak both need proper tools and sometimes a permit.
A suspected buried leak calls for water service line repair or leak detection to find the spot before digging. Call 811 at least two working days before any digging of your own. Homes in Picture Rocks should confirm their water provider first, because not every property uses the Town system.
The 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) that the Town of Marana adopted expects pressure to stay within a safe range at the fixtures, which is why a pressure reducing valve is worth testing before you blame the meter.
Frequently asked questions
Most homes run between about 40 and 80 psi. Below 40 feels weak, and above 80 can stress fixtures and appliances.
Scale in the showerhead is the usual reason. Soak it in vinegar and brush the holes. If that does not help, the shower valve or cartridge may be worn.
Yes. A leak on the line between the meter and the house can lower pressure everywhere. Look for a spinning meter with everything off, and wet or sunken ground.
Hard water leaves deposits that narrow small openings, which is most noticeable in aerators and showerheads. It affects fixtures more than main lines. Your system's published hardness is in the Town table.
Call Marana Water at (520) 382-2570 if your neighbors have the same problem or you see work crews. Call a plumber if the pressure is low only inside your home.
Yes. Pressure above about 80 psi can shorten the life of hoses, valves and appliances. A failing regulator can cause that, and a plumber can test it.
Still deciding? Call the 24/7 line.
A person answers, listens to the problem, and tells you what happens next.
Call (855) 575-2890