Low water pressure:
causes and fixes.

Is it the whole house or one tap?

If only one tap or shower is weak, the problem is usually local to it: a scaled-up shower head, a blocked aerator on the tap or a partly closed isolating valve.

If every cold tap is weak, the cause is more likely to be the supply into the house.

Checks you can do yourself

Make sure the stop tap is fully open. It's usually under the kitchen sink. A stop tap that was half-closed after a repair is a common cause.

Unscrew and clean the tap aerator or shower head. In our hard-water area, scale builds up quickly.

Ask a neighbour. If they have the same problem, contact your water company, as there may be work or a fault on the main.

Hot water weaker than cold?

With a cylinder fed from a loft tank (gravity hot water), the pressure depends on the height of the tank above the tap, so upstairs showers can be weak by design.

A pump or a different type of shower can help, but it depends on your system. Our shower guide explains the options.

When to call a plumber

If the stop tap is open and the supply is fine but the pressure is still poor, the cause may be old or scaled pipework, a failing valve or a leak. These need someone to trace the problem.