Occasionally you may see a decrease or increase in the water pressure. There are many possible causes of this problem, including air in the water lines, faulty plumbing fixtures, or a defective pressure regulating valve (many houses do not have a pressure reducing valve).

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If pressure is low throughout the house, air might be caught in the lines. This can happen if there has been construction at your house or in the area. Signs of air pockets include water "spitting" out of the faucet, cloudy or milky looking water, and possibly water that appears rusty. If you experience any of these things turn at least two faucets on full blast for 5-10 minutes; it's helpful if the faucets are located at different ends of the house. This should pull the air pocket through the water lines.

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Another common pressure problem can be attributed to a bad pressure regulator. If the pressure seems unusually low throughout the house or if your pipes tend to rattle when certain fixtures are used, you may need to repair or replace your regulator valve.

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Low pressure in one area can be because of a faulty plumbing fixture. For instance, if the kitchen sink works fine but the clothes washer takes a long time to fill, the problem is probably in the line to the washer or the washer itself. The same can be said of individual problems with showers, toilets, sinks, etc. Faucet aerators can also get clogged and need to be cleaned periodically. If this sounds like the problem you are having, you'll want to contact a plumber or make the repair yourself.​