Whether you're troubleshooting water pressure issues, ensuring compatibility with your next shower system, or simply looking to understand how different water sources affect performance, having the right knowledge can make all the difference. This brief guide will walk you through key considerations related to low-pressure water supplies, helping you identify potential problems and find solutions that keep your shower working at its best.
You will know you have this system if there is a cold-water tank in your loft and hot water cylinder in your airing cupboard. This is the most common of all domestic water systems.
It's called a low-pressure gravity system because the water is kept under pressure via the gravity-fed water delivered from the cistern. How much pressure is produced is determined by the height at which the base of the cold-water cistern is situated above the outlet. This is typically a minimum height of 1 metre for showers. The greater the height of the cistern above the showerhead the more pressure is created.
How do I turn the hot water off?
To turn off the hot water, you need to locate the isolating valve (stop cock) and turn that off. You may have an isolating valve on the pipe coming out of the top of your hot water tank. If you are unsure, then speak to your plumber or installer.
How do I turn the cold water off?
Locate the isolating valve (stop cock) coming out of the feed tank and turn that off.
Recommended showers:
If this is your water system supports it, you can choose from several shower options:
- Mixer Shower – A versatile choice for balanced hot and cold water mixing.
- Mira Pumped (Gravity-Fed) Digital Shower – Ideal for homes with low pressure.
- Mira All-in-One Power Shower – Provides a strong, consistent flow.
- Mira Pumped Electric Shower – Options include Mira Advance Low Pressure and Mira Elite, both designed for low-pressure systems.
Please note that if you install a mixer shower and want a more powerful flow, adding a pump will further boost water pressure and improve performance.
