How to Increase Water Pressure in Your UK Home

Before you can even think about how to increase your water pressure, you need to put on your detective hat. A disappointing trickle from the shower or a tap that takes an eternity to fill the kettle is a common gripe for many in Eastbourne, but jumping to a solution without knowing the cause is a recipe for wasted time and money.

The problem could be as simple as a valve that isn't fully open, or it could be something more serious like old, corroded pipework choking your entire system. The experts at Harrlie Plumbing and Heating see this every day and know that a proper diagnosis is key.

Diagnosing the Causes of Low Water Pressure

So, where do you start? The very first clue is to figure out if the problem is happening in just one spot or if it’s affecting your entire property. This one simple check will instantly narrow down the list of potential culprits.

Go around your house and test multiple taps. Is it just the hot water that’s weak, the cold, or both? If the pressure drop is only on the hot side, that points towards an issue with your boiler or hot water cylinder. If it’s just one tap, you’re likely dealing with a localised blockage, probably a clogged aerator on the spout.

Identifying Widespread vs. Localised Issues

If every single tap in your home is suffering from a weak flow, the issue is almost certainly system-wide. This means something is restricting the water before it even splits off to your various taps and appliances.

Here are the usual suspects we look for first on our call-outs across Eastbourne:

• Partially Closed Valves: Your home has two main valves controlling your water supply: the stopcock (usually found under the kitchen sink) and the outside stop valve (often under a small cover on the pavement). If either of these has been nudged or isn't fully open, it will throttle the flow to your whole house.

• A Hidden Leak: Even a small, sneaky leak somewhere in your plumbing can cause a significant drop in pressure. Keep an eye out for damp patches on walls or ceilings, or a water bill from Southern Water that seems unusually high.

• Failing Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV): Many UK homes have a PRV fitted to tame high pressure from the mains. These components can fail over time or get stuck, and when they do, they can severely restrict your water flow.

The Impact of Ageing Pipework in Eastbourne

Here in Eastbourne, especially in older properties around areas like Meads or Old Town, the original pipework is very often the main offender. At Harrlie Plumbing and Heating, we frequently discover that old galvanised steel pipes are the root cause of long-term pressure problems.

Over the decades, these pipes corrode from the inside out. Limescale and mineral deposits build up, layer by layer, acting like a blockage that slowly narrows the pipe's diameter. It's like a clogged artery for your home's plumbing, and it explains why a system that once felt powerful now feels frustratingly weak.

Getting to the bottom of these potential causes is the critical first step. For a deeper dive into the specific reasons for pressure drops in UK homes, you can learn more about what causes low water pressure in our detailed guide. This initial diagnosis is essential for understanding the scale of the issue before you decide on the best way forward.

Simple DIY Checks You Can Do Today

Before you start imagining the worst-case scenario and planning a major plumbing overhaul, it’s always worth starting with the basics. More often than not, a frustratingly weak trickle from your taps can be traced back to a simple issue you can sort out yourself in just a few minutes.

First things first, check your home's main stopcock. This is the master valve controlling your entire water supply, and it’s usually tucked away under the kitchen sink. At Harrlie Plumbing and Heating, we’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve visited a home in Eastbourne and found these have been accidentally knocked or not fully reopened after a previous job. Give it a turn anti-clockwise to make sure it's completely open. You might be surprised at the difference this makes.

Cleaning Clogged Outlets

If the low pressure is only affecting one or two taps, the culprit is probably a blocked outlet. Over time, limescale and tiny bits of debris build up and create a bottleneck.

• Tap Aerators: Unscrew the very tip of your tap spout. Inside, you’ll find a little mesh filter—that’s the aerator. Give it a good scrub with an old toothbrush under running water. If it’s caked in limescale, a one-hour soak in white vinegar will work wonders.

• Showerheads: Showerheads are notorious for getting clogged, especially in the hard water areas we have around Eastbourne. Just unscrew the head and leave it in a bowl of white vinegar overnight. In the morning, use a pin to poke out any stubborn deposits from the little nozzles.

A quick clean-up like this often brings an immediate improvement and is one of the fastest ways to get the flow back to a specific outlet.

Systematically Testing Your Taps

A quick diagnostic can help you narrow down the problem even further. Turn on a cold tap fully and see what the pressure is like. Then, do the same with the hot tap. If only the hot water pressure is poor, it’s a strong sign the issue is with your boiler or hot water cylinder, not the mains supply itself.

We often see this with combi boilers that are starting to struggle in homes across Eastbourne. If the low pressure is isolated to your hot taps, it's a clear signal that the problem is within your heating system, and it’s time to get a Gas Safe registered engineer from Harrlie Plumbing and Heating to take a look.

Leaks are another common pressure-killer. Even a small, hidden drip can have a surprisingly big impact on your system's overall pressure.

Fixing leaks, no matter how minor they seem, is a vital step in restoring your system’s integrity and getting your pressure back where it should be.

Finally, have a quick chat with your neighbours. If they’re all dealing with the same weak flow, it almost certainly points to a wider problem with the local network. This is something we see across Eastbourne from time to time, where the issue lies with the Southern Water supply mains. Water companies have to carefully manage pressure to prevent leaks and bursts across their network, a practice that has been standard since mandatory leakage targets were introduced in the late 1990s. You can learn more about how UK water companies manage network pressure. Knowing it’s a network-wide problem saves you the headache of searching for a non-existent fault in your own home.

DIY Water Pressure Troubleshooting Checklist

Before you pick up the phone, running through this simple checklist can help you pinpoint the cause of low water pressure. Many common issues have a quick fix you can handle yourself.

Check	What to Look For	Simple Fix	When to Call Harrlie Plumbing
Main Stopcock	Valve is not fully turned anti-clockwise.	Turn the valve fully anti-clockwise to ensure it's completely open.	If the valve is seized, leaking, or you can't find it.
Tap Aerators	Limescale or debris clogging the filter at the tap's end.	Unscrew the aerator and clean it with vinegar and an old toothbrush.	If the tap is still weak after cleaning the aerator.
Showerhead	Clogged nozzles, especially in hard water areas like Eastbourne.	Soak the showerhead in white vinegar overnight to dissolve mineral buildup.	If pressure is low throughout the bathroom, not just the shower.
Hot Water vs. Cold	Low pressure only on hot taps.	This is likely a boiler or hot water cylinder issue, not a simple DIY fix.	Immediately. This points to a problem with your heating system.
Neighbour Check	Neighbours are experiencing the same low pressure.	This points to a municipal supply issue with Southern Water.	If your pressure is significantly lower than your neighbours'.

This checklist is your first line of defence. If you've tried these simple fixes and are still dealing with a weak flow, it’s a good sign that there’s a deeper issue that needs a professional eye.

When a DIY Fix Is Not Enough

So you’ve tried all the simple checks. You've cleaned the tap aerators, made sure the stopcock is wide open, and still, your water pressure is stubbornly low. It can be incredibly frustrating when the usual quick fixes don't make a blind bit of difference.

If you've reached this point, it’s a strong sign that the problem isn't on the surface. It’s likely something deeper within your plumbing system. Continuing to tinker with taps and showerheads is unlikely to get you anywhere and could even be masking a more serious issue that needs a professional eye.

This is the moment to put down the wrench and pick up the phone to a local expert like Harrlie Plumbing and Heating. Problems like hidden leaks, a faulty pressure valve, or old, constricted pipework need specialist tools and knowledge to diagnose and fix properly. Living with a weak shower is one thing, but ignoring a potential underlying fault could lead to bigger headaches down the line.

Uncovering Hidden Plumbing Problems

Some of the most common culprits behind persistent low water pressure are completely hidden from view. You need a trained professional to pinpoint exactly where the trouble is coming from.

• Hidden Leaks: Even a tiny, slow leak in a pipe tucked away under the floorboards can cause a major drop in pressure. Here at Harrlie Plumbing and Heating, we use acoustic and thermal imaging gear to find these leaks without having to pull your Eastbourne home apart.

• A Failing Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV): This valve's job is to protect your home’s plumbing from the high pressure coming in from the mains. But when a PRV gets old or clogged with debris, it can get stuck partly closed, effectively strangling the water supply to your entire house.

• Undersized or Corroded Pipework: A lot of older properties in Eastbourne were built with narrow, half-inch pipework. Over decades, these pipes get choked with limescale and corrosion, creating a bottleneck that modern appliances and power showers just can't cope with.

A common scenario we encounter in Eastbourne is a homeowner who has tried everything, only for us to discover that the main supply pipe leading into their property is too small to meet the demands of a modern household. In these cases, no amount of tap-cleaning will solve the fundamental issue.

Boiler and System Specific Issues

Sometimes, the problem isn't with your mains water at all, but is specific to your hot water system. This is a frequent complaint we get from homeowners in Eastbourne with combi boilers. If your cold taps are flowing fine but the hot water is just a trickle, it often points to an issue inside the boiler itself, like a blocked plate heat exchanger.

Trying to diagnose or fix these kinds of complex problems without the right experience is a big risk. For a closer look at some other potential solutions, you can find more information about [how to fix water pressure with easy tips for your Eastbourne home](https://www.harrlieplumbing.co.uk/post/how-to-fix-water-pressure-easy-tips-for-your-eastbourne-home).

But once you’ve exhausted the simple stuff, calling in a professional is the safest, most effective way to restore your flow and learn how to increase water pressure for good. The team at Harrlie Plumbing and Heating can give you a clear diagnosis and a reliable, long-term fix.

Proven Solutions to Boost Your Water Pressure

When simple fixes just don’t cut it, it’s time to bring in the heavy hitters. If your home in Eastbourne suffers from consistently low mains pressure, or if the family's morning routine puts too much strain on the system, a professional installation can deliver a powerful, permanent upgrade.

The right solution can transform a frustrating trickle into a strong, reliable flow throughout your entire property. At Harrlie Plumbing and Heating, we find that one of two highly effective solutions usually does the trick: installing a water pressure booster pump or fitting an accumulator tank. Which one is best for you? It really depends on your home’s specific needs and the root cause of your pressure problem.

Installing a Water Pressure Booster Pump

Think of a booster pump as a turbocharger for your plumbing. It's a clever, electrically powered device that we install directly onto your incoming water main. When it detects a drop in pressure—say, when you turn on a tap or hop in the shower—it kicks into action, actively forcing water through your pipes at a much higher pressure.

A booster pump is the perfect solution for homes with consistently weak mains pressure, which is a common issue in certain parts of Eastbourne, particularly in areas at a higher elevation like parts of Upperton.

• Pros: Delivers a constant, powerful pressure on demand and is relatively compact.

• Cons: It does require electricity to run and can be noisy if not installed correctly.

It’s absolutely crucial to select the right size pump for your home. One that’s too powerful can put a real strain on your pipework, while one that’s too small simply won't solve the problem. That's where a professional assessment from Harrlie Plumbing and Heating becomes invaluable.

The Power of an Accumulator Tank

An accumulator tank works quite differently. It’s essentially a storage container that holds a large volume of water under pressure, ready for immediate use. When you open a tap, this pressurised water is released into your system, supplementing the flow from the mains.

This makes it an ideal choice for larger properties or households where multiple bathrooms are often being used at the same time.

For instance, in a busy family home in the Sovereign Harbour area, running a shower while someone else uses the kitchen tap can cause the pressure to plummet. An accumulator tank solves this by providing that extra volume of water needed to satisfy peak demand, ensuring every outlet gets a strong, consistent flow.

This method really excels where the issue is high demand rather than a poor mains supply. The main consideration, though, is that these tanks do take up more space and often need to be installed in a loft or a decent-sized airing cupboard.

Interestingly, improving household water efficiency can also play a part. National trends show that as daily water consumption per person decreases, it lessens the overall strain on the UK's water infrastructure. This can help maintain better pressure, especially during peak times. You can explore more about UK water consumption trends and targets.

Choosing between a pump and a tank involves weighing up these factors against your property's layout and your local water regulations. For expert advice on [solving Eastbourne water pressure problems](https://www.harrlieplumbing.co.uk/post/solving-eastbourne-water-pressure-problems), our team can assess your specific situation and recommend the most effective permanent fix for you.

How External Factors Can Affect Your Supply

Sometimes, that frustratingly weak flow from your taps has absolutely nothing to do with the plumbing inside your house. The real cause of low water pressure can often be traced back to factors well beyond your property line—things that are completely out of your hands but are still incredibly helpful to understand.

Knowing this helps set realistic expectations. It also means you can have a much more productive chat with your local supplier (which for most of us in Eastbourne is Southern Water) when you need to report a problem. After all, there's no point tearing your hair out looking for a fault at home if the entire neighbourhood is in the same boat.

Peak Demand and Network Management

One of the most common external culprits is simply timing. Picture your local area in Eastbourne during the morning rush, say between 7 am and 9 am. Hundreds of homes are running showers, flushing toilets, and popping the kettle on all at once. That puts a colossal strain on the local water network.

To cope, water companies often have to reduce the overall pressure in the mains supply. It's a delicate balancing act to make sure everyone gets a share without overwhelming the system. The result? You might notice a definite drop in pressure at your taps during these peak hours.

The Impact of Dry Weather

The weather across southern England plays a massive part in your home's water pressure. During long dry spells or heatwaves, water conservation becomes the number one priority for suppliers like Southern Water as they work to protect reservoir levels.

For example, the severe dry weather back in 2022 led to exceptionally low river flows across huge parts of the south. This kind of prolonged water shortage forces suppliers to reduce pressure in their distribution systems to preserve what they have. You can find out more about how dry weather affects UK water resources and the wider impacts.

If you've noticed a gradual drop in pressure across all of Eastbourne during a particularly dry summer, it’s almost certainly a deliberate conservation measure. In these situations, your neighbours will be experiencing the exact same thing.

Pressure Managed Areas

Another important factor to consider is whether you live in a designated 'pressure managed area'. Water suppliers create these zones specifically to reduce the chances of leaks and pipe bursts across their network. By keeping the pressure at a controlled, slightly lower level, they help prolong the life of the infrastructure.

If your home in Eastbourne falls within one of these areas, your pressure will be consistently lower than in other parts of town. You can usually find out if you're in one by checking your supplier's website or just giving them a quick call. While it might feel a bit restrictive, it's a crucial strategy for maintaining the long-term health of the entire water network.

Answering Your Water Pressure Questions

We talk to homeowners across Eastbourne all the time, and low water pressure is a topic that comes up again and again. To help you get a clearer picture of what might be happening in your own home, the team at Harrlie Plumbing and Heating has put together answers to some of the most common questions we hear.

Is Low Water Pressure Dangerous?

In most cases, no, low water pressure isn't dangerous on its own. It's more of an annoyance than a hazard. However, it can sometimes be a red flag pointing to a more serious underlying problem.

A gradual drop in pressure, for example, could be a sign of a hidden leak somewhere in your system. If that’s left unchecked, you could be looking at serious water damage down the line. It can also cause issues with certain appliances. Many modern combi boilers and unvented cylinders have minimum pressure requirements and won't operate safely or efficiently without them.

Will a New Boiler Increase My Water Pressure?

That’s a great question, and the answer really depends on what kind of system you have now. If you’re living with an older, gravity-fed system—the type with a big cold water tank in the loft—then yes, upgrading to a modern combi boiler will make a massive difference to your hot water pressure.

But here’s the important bit: a new boiler will do absolutely nothing for your cold water pressure. That's determined entirely by the mains supply coming into your property from Southern Water. Our team can pop round, take a look at your specific setup in Eastbourne, and give you honest advice on whether a boiler upgrade is the right fix for your pressure woes.

A common mistake is thinking a new boiler is a magic bullet for all pressure issues. While it dramatically improves hot water flow in old gravity-fed systems, it won’t solve problems caused by corroded pipework or a poor mains supply. That's why a proper diagnosis from a professional like Harrlie Plumbing and Heating is so important.

How Much Does a Booster Pump Cost?

The cost to fit a water pressure booster pump can vary quite a bit. The final price really hinges on the type and size of pump your home needs, how complex the installation is, and the current state of your pipework.

Because every property is unique, it’s always best to get a professional quote. Here at Harrlie Plumbing and Heating, we provide Eastbourne homeowners with a full system assessment and clear, transparent pricing upfront. That way, you know exactly what to expect with no hidden surprises.

Can I Have Too Much Water Pressure?

You certainly can. While it might sound like a good problem to have, excessively high water pressure can actually be quite damaging. It puts a constant strain on your pipes, joints, and all the internal bits and pieces of your appliances like washing machines and dishwashers.

Over time, this stress can lead to leaks, burst hoses, and your fixtures failing much sooner than they should. In the UK, we often install a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) to tame high mains pressure and protect the home’s plumbing. For most homes in Eastbourne, we aim for a steady pressure of around 3 bar.

---

If you're tired of dealing with weak showers and taps that take forever to fill the kettle, it's time for a professional solution. The team at Harrlie Plumbing and Heating has the expertise to find the real cause of your low water pressure and recommend the most effective fix. Visit us online to book your free, no-obligation quote today!