If only one tap or shower is weak, the cause is usually a blocked aerator or shower head (limescale is common in East Kent), or a partly closed isolation valve. If every tap is weak, check that your inside stopcock is fully open, ask neighbours if theirs is low too, and contact your water supplier if so. If it is just your home, old or narrow supply pipework or a hidden leak may be the cause, and a plumber can test it.
One tap, or the whole house?
This is the first question, because it tells you where to look.
Just one tap or shower
- Limescale. In hard-water East Kent, tap aerators and shower heads clog up over time and restrict the flow.
- An isolation valve under the sink or on the pipe to the shower may be partly closed.
- A faulty tap cartridge or mixer valve.
The whole house
- The stopcock may not be fully open, especially after work has been done. See our guide on finding your stopcock.
- A supply problem in your street: check whether neighbours are affected and look at your water supplier’s website.
- Old or undersized supply pipework, such as an old lead or narrow pipe from the street.
- A leak on the supply pipe, which can also show as a higher water bill or damp patches.
Hot only?
If only the hot water is weak, the problem is more likely to be the boiler or cylinder. See combi boiler with no hot water.
Covering Faversham, Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Thanet, Sandwich, Deal and Dover: see areas we cover.
Get it sorted
Call or WhatsApp Addisons Plumbing & Heating with a quick description or a photo, and we’ll tell you what it looks like and arrange a visit. Free, no-obligation quotes across East Kent. If you ever smell gas, call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999.
Quick questions
What is normal water pressure in the UK?
Water companies must supply a minimum pressure, but what you feel at the tap also depends on your pipework. A plumber can measure your pressure and flow.
Will a new combi boiler fix low pressure?
No. A combi relies on good mains pressure, so it is worth checking before you choose one.
Can you replace old supply pipework?
Yes. We can replace the pipework inside your home. The pipe from the boundary to your house is usually the homeowner’s responsibility, and we can advise.
