Whether you’re rinsing off the desert dust after a long day or running multiple appliances at once, good water pressure makes a big difference in your daily comfort. In Las Vegas, where heat and hard water can both take a toll on your plumbing system, you may often deal with inconsistent or frustratingly low water pressure.
Maintaining proper water pressure protects your system and ensures that everything operates correctly in your home. Failure to do so can stress your pipes and appliances, potentially damaging your water heater. If you’re experiencing uneven pressure, frequent fixture issues, or slow water flow, these five tips will help you maintain consistent, healthy water pressure in your Las Vegas home.
1. Check Your Pressure and Know What’s Normal for Your Home
One of the most crucial and often overlooked ways to maintain optimal water pressure is to understand the ideal water pressure for your home. The water pressure should fall between 40 and 80 PSI (pounds per square inch). This knowledge empowers you to take control of your plumbing system, ensuring it delivers the correct pressure when no water is running and when taps or appliances are in use.
In Las Vegas, where municipal water sources fluctuate based on usage and season, your pressure may vary more than in other parts of the country. If your reading is consistently too high or too low, it’s a good idea to have a plumber from our team inspect your pressure regulator or main supply valve.
2. Maintain Your Pressure Regulating Valve (PRV)
Most modern Las Vegas homes have a pressure regulating valve, or PRV, installed near the main water shut-off. This valve manages the high pressure that often comes from the city’s water lines and reduces it to a safe level for residential use. If the PRV becomes damaged, misadjusted, or worn out, you’ll notice it in your water pressure and possibly in your water bill as well.
Over time, these valves can degrade, especially with exposure to hard water deposits, which are common in the Las Vegas Valley. A malfunctioning PRV may either allow too much pressure into your plumbing or restrict water flow to a trickle. If your home suddenly experiences wildly fluctuating water pressure, you hear banging pipes, or you notice signs of stress on fixtures, it may be time to replace the PRV. One of our licensed plumbers can test the valve’s performance and make adjustments to keep your system balanced and safe.
3. Address Mineral Buildup and Hardwater Issues
Hard water, rich in calcium and magnesium, defines most of the water supply in Las Vegas. These minerals leave behind scale and sediment inside pipes, fixtures, and appliances. Over time, this buildup narrows the interior of your plumbing lines, reducing water flow and causing lower water pressure, especially in older homes.
If you’ve noticed a gradual decline in water pressure over the years or frequently need to descale showerheads and faucet aerators, hard water may be the root cause. Installing a whole-home water softener or a filtration system can significantly reduce scale buildup and improve water flow throughout your plumbing system.
If your home is more than 15 to 20 years old, it’s also worth having Loyalty Plumbing inspect your pipes. In some cases, we may need to flush, clean, and replace sections of pipe to restore proper flow and pressure. Routine maintenance, such as descaling appliances and flushing your water heater, can also prevent pressure issues caused by sediment buildup. We recommend scheduling a maintenance session once a year for your plumbing system.
4. Frequently Check for Hidden Leaks and Blockages
The supply side does not always create water pressure problems. Sometimes, hidden leaks or internal blockages can affect the water flow through your system. A small leak behind a wall or underground can drastically lower water pressure in parts of your home. In fact, the water pressure can become even lower when multiple fixtures are in use.
Signs of a hidden leak in your home include:
- Sudden high water bills
- Damp spots on floors or walls
- Mold growth or mildew smells
- Dripping sounds when water isn’t running
On the other hand, partial blockages from rust, debris, or hard water scale can affect individual lines or fixtures. If you notice poor pressure from just one sink, faucet, or showerhead, it’s likely a localized issue that may be relatively simple to fix. Clogs in aerators and cartridges are easy to clean or replace. For more complex pressure drops or inconsistent flow throughout your home, it’s best to call a professional plumber at Loyalty Plumbing. Leak detection tools and pressure mapping can quickly identify the source of the problem without tearing into walls unnecessarily.
5. Consider Upgrades for Long-Term Pressure Gains
If your home is older and has original plumbing fixtures and lines, your water pressure issues may be due to outdated infrastructure in your home. Las Vegas experienced rapid growth in the 1980s and 1990s, and many homes built during this period still have their original plumbing components. Over time, galvanized steel or copper pipes corrode, narrowing the pathways through which water travels.
Modern PEX and PVC piping are more resistant to corrosion and buildup. Newer low-flow fixtures deliver strong performance while using less water, and they often maintain consistent pressure more effectively than older models.
Replacing outdated showerheads, faucets, and supply lines with pressure-optimized, water-efficient fixtures can improve flow without straining your plumbing system. These upgrades often lead to significant savings of up to 30% on your water and energy bills. Additionally, with the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s rebates and federal efficiency standards in place, upgrading often results in long-term savings on both water and energy bills.
Why Water Pressure Matters in Las Vegas
In a city where summers are long, hot, and dry, water is part of your home’s daily rhythm. Consistent water pressure makes everything more convenient, from early showers to watering the garden in the evening. When the pressure drops or surges unexpectedly, it can affect your comfort level or damage your appliances.
Regularly checking your system’s pressure, maintaining valves and pipes, and staying ahead of hard water issues will go a long way toward protecting your plumbing and improving your quality of life. Whether you’re in Summerlin, Henderson, or right off the Strip, healthy water pressure starts with proactive maintenance and expert care.
Contact a Reliable Plumbing Service
If you’re unsure about your current water pressure or want to improve performance throughout your home, now’s a great time to schedule a professional plumbing maintenance inspection with our team. With more than a decade of experience, our team focuses on being a reliable solution to Las Vegas residents like you. A quick visit today can mean fewer plumbing headaches tomorrow.
We are highly rated in the Las Vegas area as a company that makes plumbing issues a thing of the past. Keep your showers satisfying, your appliances efficient, and your home running smoothly by contacting Loyalty Plumbing today.