Why is my water pressure low?
Low water pressure is usually a partly closed stopcock, a fault with the mains supply, scale built up in older pipework, or — in homes with a tank-fed system — a problem with the header tank or pump. It's rarely one single cause, so a plumber works through these in order rather than guessing at the start.
If it's one tap only, the fault is almost always local to that tap or its immediate pipework — a partly closed isolation valve or a blocked aerator are the first things to check.
If it's the whole house and it happened suddenly, check with neighbours: a shared mains issue (a leak or works nearby) affects everyone on the same supply, not just you.
Older homes with galvanised steel pipework can lose pressure gradually over years as scale narrows the pipe from the inside — this shows up as a slow decline rather than a sudden drop.
What to check
- Is it one tap, one room, or the whole house
- Did it change suddenly or has it been gradual
- Do neighbours on the same street have the same issue
- Is your system tank-fed (header tank in the attic) or mains-fed directly
When to call a pro
If it's whole-house, sudden, or you suspect a hidden leak.
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