7 November 2026 · 1 min read · By the Plumbees team
Weak water pressure is frustrating, particularly in the shower. The cause could be as simple as a clogged aerator, or as involved as a problem with the supply to your street. Working out where the problem sits is the first step.
Is it one tap or the whole house?
If only one tap or shower is weak, the problem is almost certainly local to that fitting. If every tap is weak, look at the stopcock and the supply.
One fitting only
- Limescale blocking the aerator on a tap or the holes in a shower head
- A partly closed isolation valve under the sink
- A worn or blocked cartridge
- A kinked or blocked flexible hose
Unscrewing the aerator or shower head and soaking it in a descaling solution often restores the flow.
The whole property
- A stopcock that is not fully open
- A leak somewhere in the supply pipe
- Old pipework that has narrowed through corrosion or scale
- A supply issue in your street, which you can check with your water company
- Demand at peak times, when many neighbours are using water
Flats and tall buildings
In flats on higher floors, pressure can be lower because of how the building is supplied. If you rent, tell your landlord or managing agent, as the system may need adjusting.
When to call a plumber
If the pressure dropped suddenly, if it varies, or if there are signs of a leak such as damp patches, call a plumber. A hidden leak can cause low pressure and damage at the same time. Our leaks and burst pipes page explains how we trace them. If you are planning a new shower, we check your pressure and flow at the survey, as part of our bathroom plumbing work.