Weak taps and a dribbling shower are annoying, and the cause is not always obvious. Sometimes the fault sits in your pipework, and sometimes it sits with the water company. This page helps you tell the two apart.
We cover Colchester and nearby towns such as Sudbury and Clacton-on-Sea. However, start with the checks below, because they are simple.
What the minimum pressure is
Ofwat's standards require the water company to maintain at least seven metres of static head, which is 0.7 bar, in its communication pipe. The Consumer Council for Water explains that this pipe belongs to the company and ends at the outside stop valve. The company has no duty to meet that level inside your own pipes.
WaterSafe adds that most companies aim for at least 10 metres, about 1.0 bar. The legal aim is that water reaches the top storey of most homes. However, measurements are taken where the company's pipe meets yours.
Common causes of low pressure
The Consumer Council for Water lists several causes, although only some are in your control. These include mains bursts or maintenance, high demand at certain times, cold weather and a change in the company's supply source. A leak on your supply pipe, a closed valve, or sharing a supply with neighbours can also lower pressure.
Because many causes sit outside your home, timing is a useful clue. For example, pressure that drops every evening points to demand in the area. Pressure that stays low all day points to a fault closer to home.
Simple checks you can make
Check that your stop tap is fully open. Anglian Water advises turning it fully open, then back a quarter turn so it does not seize. Look at any isolation valves too, since a part-closed valve restricts flow.
The Consumer Council for Water gives three signs of a real problem. A shower dribbles when a toilet flushes. A bath takes much longer than about five minutes to fill. A cistern takes longer than about one minute 40 seconds to refill. Therefore a stopwatch is a handy tool.
Who fixes what
Record the times of low pressure for about two weeks, then report them to your water company, because the log is your evidence. It can visit and test the pressure. If the test shows the mains is fine, a plumber can then check your own pipework for leaks, closed valves and limescale.
Limescale can also build up in taps and fittings in this hard water area, because the water is hard. Our plumbing repairs page covers those repairs. If you suspect a leak on your supply pipe, see leak detection. Request a quote online and describe the problem; the plumber will discuss the job with you.
Low Water Pressure — frequently asked questions
What is the minimum water pressure my supplier must provide?
Ofwat's standards set seven metres of static head, which is 0.7 bar, in the company's communication pipe. The company has no duty to meet that level inside your own pipes, however.
How do I report low pressure?
Note the times it happens over about two weeks and report them to your water company. It can visit and test the pressure, because only the company can check its own pipe.
Can a plumber raise the mains pressure?
No. A plumber can fix faults inside your property, such as closed valves, leaks and clogged fittings. Mains pressure outside belongs to your water company, while the plumber works on your side.
Is low pressure always a leak?
No. Mains work, high demand, cold weather and shared supplies can all cause it. A leak on your supply pipe is one possible cause, so a meter test is worth doing, because it is simple.