water pressure

Water Pressure Explained

What is Water Pressure?

Water pressure is the force that pushes water through your pipework and delivers water to taps, showers and appliances. The level of pressure you receive can vary depending on several factors, including:

  • The height of the local service reservoir or water tower
  • How far your property is from the water main
  • How many other customers are using water at the same time
  • The height of your home (properties on hills often receive lower pressure)

Installing a water meter should not normally affect your water pressure.

What Happens When Water Pressure is Too Low?

Low water pressure can reduce water flow to a trickle, making everyday tasks frustrating. You may notice:

  • Weak showers
  • Slow filling taps
  • Baths taking a long time to fill
  • Toilets and cisterns refilling slowly

Some modern heating systems and thermostatic showers also require a minimum pressure to operate correctly, meaning low pressure can prevent them working efficiently.

Common Causes of Low Water Pressure

Low pressure can occur for several reasons. In many cases, it’s simply caused by higher demand, such as:

  • Early mornings
  • Evenings
  • Dry spells when hosepipes and sprinklers are widely used

Other causes can include:

  • Inadequate pumping infrastructure
  • Water mains that are too small for demand
  • Reduced pressure caused by leaks or equipment failures
  • Blocked or restricted supply pipes

In many cases, these issues fall under the responsibility of the local water supplier.

Can Water Pressure Be Too High?

Yes. Excessively high water pressure can damage pipework and plumbing fixtures, potentially leading to leaks or flooding.

Common causes of temporarily high pressure include:

  • Trapped air in pipework (often resolved by running taps for a few minutes)
  • Network reconfiguration by the water company
  • Moving to a new area where supply pressure is naturally higher

What Should I Do If I Have a Water Pressure Problem?

If your pressure is low, first check for any issues within your own property, such as:

  • A partially closed internal stop tap
  • A leak in the system
  • Blocked filters or pipe restrictions

If you cannot find the cause, contact your local water company. They can carry out flow and pressure testing to determine whether the issue is within their network or your private pipework.

If you are unhappy with their response, you can contact CCWater (Consumer Council for Water) for independent advice.

What Are the Official Standards for Water Pressure?

Under the Guaranteed Standards Scheme (GSS), water companies are required to maintain a minimum pressure of:

7 metres static head
(at the communication pipe serving the premises)

What Else Can Affect Water Pressure?

Even if your water company supply is adequate, certain appliances may still struggle if your system requires higher pressure. This includes:

  • Thermostatic showers
  • Combination boilers
  • Multi-bathroom homes
  • Properties with long pipe runs or multiple floors

How Can Water Companies Improve Water Pressure?

Water companies can improve supply pressure by:

  • Cleaning and lining older water mains
  • Replacing mains with larger diameter pipework
  • Installing booster pumps within the supply network

Need a Solution Now?

If your property suffers from consistently poor water pressure or flow, a WaterBoost system can provide a reliable way to restore strong, consistent pressure throughout your home.

WaterBoost systems are designed to deliver improved performance to showers, taps and appliances — especially in properties where mains pressure is insufficient.

Boosting your water pressure


There are many reasons for experiencing low water pressure problems including high demand, location and shared supply. WaterBoost Systems are pre-built ready to use cold water booster system specifically designed for use in domestic, commercial and light industrial applications where existing water pressure and flow is insufficient to meet demand.

Do You require water storage?


To boost water flow, you first need an increased water supply. If your main supply isn't sufficient for your needs, a break tank is necessary to store water for when you require it. This stored water can then be pumped to your outlets as needed, ensuring a consistent flow at the right pressure

What systems can this be used with?


WaterBooster Systems are designed for use with pressurized/unvented and combination boiler hot water systems. They are not suitable for unpressurized/vented or gravity-fed systems that already have a cold water header tank.

Fixed Speed vs Variable Speed?

The fixed-speed version comes with an automatic pump controller that delivers the full performance of the pump whenever needed. The variable-speed version features an intelligent pump controller that maintains a steady water flow to every outlet by keeping constant pressure across your property. It adjusts the pump's speed based on demand, ensuring efficient operation, reducing energy consumption, and providing a smoother experience for users

What System for my property?

Please speak to our experts to design your exact system. A general rule for a home is for every shower required to run add 150 litres of storage and allow 15 I/min pump performance.

What happens if the tank runs out of water?

The DAB pumps used have intelligent protection to stop the pump if there is no water inthe tank. After a brief delay the pump will automatically reset. This pump protection feature helps ensure the pump's longevity and reliable performance.

What Noise do the systems create?


ll pumps generate some noise, however the technology advanced DAB range minimizes this by using an ultra-quiet and efficient pumps either internal or external. As a result, it operates at a typical noise level of around than 45dB(A), making it one of the quietest possible options.

How Simple is Installation?


Our tank and pump units are designed to simplify installation for professionals. As a pre-packaged unit, it ensures a quick and easy setup with connections prefitted.

Where should i Install?


Systems can be installed in utility rooms, garage, outdoor buildings, lofts or any
suitable location. The pre-built design make installation simple for professional
installers.