Weak, trickling taps and showers that cannot manage a decent flow are frustrating — and sometimes a sign of a bigger problem. Low water pressure has a handful of common causes, and working through them in order will usually tell you whether it is a quick fix or a job for a plumber.
Is it the whole house or just one tap?
Start here. If only one tap or shower is weak, the problem is local — usually a blocked aerator or a partly closed valve. If every outlet in the house is weak, the issue is with your incoming supply or main pipework.
Check your stopcock is fully open
Your internal stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) controls the flow into your home. If it has been knocked or only partly opened after previous work, it will throttle your pressure. Turn it anti-clockwise as far as it comfortably goes and see if things improve.
Descale aerators and shower heads
In our hard-water area, limescale builds up fast. Unscrew the little aerator on the end of a tap, or the shower head, and soak it in white vinegar overnight to dissolve the scale. This alone fixes a surprising number of weak-tap complaints.
Your area's mains pressure
Some streets simply have lower mains pressure, and demand at peak times — early morning and evening — can make it worse. If your pressure dips only at certain times of day, this is likely the cause. A plumber can fit a pump or accumulator to boost it.
Hidden leaks and old pipes
A gradual, unexplained drop in pressure across the whole house can point to a leak underground or corroded, narrowed old pipework restricting flow. Both need investigating — a leak wastes water and money, and old pipes may be due for replacement.
When to call us
If the simple checks above do not help, or your pressure has dropped suddenly, get it looked at before it gets worse. Call 07719 522450 or WhatsApp us — we will find the cause and sort it.