Low flow rate from all taps and showers
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Most likely cause & what to check
Low flow rate throughout a property is different from low pressure — pressure is the force behind the water, flow rate is the volume that can be delivered. You can have good pressure but poor flow if the pipe bore is too narrow for the demand.
Check the main stopcock (under the kitchen sink or incoming service entry). Turn it fully anti-clockwise — a partially closed stopcock is the first thing to check and is an easy free fix.
For gravity-fed systems (cold water tank in the loft): the flow rate is determined by the height of the tank above the outlets (the "head" of water). If the tank is only 1 metre above the bathroom, flow will always be modest. A pump can be fitted to boost flow rate — see the power shower guide.
In older properties, the service pipe from the street to the house may be narrow bore lead or early iron pipe. These corrode internally and their effective bore reduces over decades. The only solution is replacement — a copper or MDPE plastic service pipe replacement typically costs £500–£2,000 depending on distance and access.
Check inline strainers at the mains stopcock and at appliances. The service pipe entry often has a mesh strainer that can block with sediment — particularly after water company works in the area stir up debris in the main.
If flow improved temporarily after the last time the pipes were worked on, debris may have been disturbed into the pipework and settled in strainers, valves, or tap aerators. Remove and clean aerators on all affected taps (unscrew the tip of the tap spout, rinse the small mesh screen).
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Frequently asked questions
Why do all my taps have low flow at the same time?
When all outlets are simultaneously weak, the issue is upstream of all the fittings — either at the mains supply, the rising main pipework, or at a pressure reducing valve. If only one tap is affected, the issue is in that specific branch. If all are slow simultaneously but improve when used one at a time, your incoming supply pipe may be too small for your demand.
Can old pipework cause low flow?
Yes — lead and steel supply pipes installed before the 1970s corrode internally over decades, reducing their effective bore. A 15mm pipe that has corroded to half its internal diameter flows significantly less water. Repiping with modern copper or plastic pipe is the permanent fix and typically costs £500–£2,000 depending on property size.
Does a water softener affect flow rate?
A poorly sized or partially blocked water softener resin bed can restrict flow. Check the softener bypass valve — switching to bypass temporarily tells you if the softener is causing the restriction. Service the softener (salt and resin checks) annually to maintain flow rates.