A beautiful new shower means nothing if the pressure is terrible. Whether your shower feels weak and dribbly or unexpectedly hot and cold, the culprit is often your water pressure. Before you choose tapware or a shower head, it’s worth understanding what pressure your home has and how it affects your options.

Jennifer Price, Strategic Brands Manager for Plumbing World, says many homeowners don’t realise their plumbing setup is limiting their choices. “The simplest way for you to know whether you’ve got mains pressure or whether you’ve got low pressure is to go and look at your hot water cylinder,” she explains. “There’ll be a label, and the label will say mains pressure or it will say low pressure.”

If your home has mains pressure, you’re in luck. Both your hot and cold water flow at similar force, giving you more consistent temperature and a wide range of fittings to choose from. Most modern homes have this system, and many tapware options are designed for it.

If you’ve got low pressure, the hot water flow is weaker than the cold. That makes it harder to get a strong, hot shower, unless you choose all-pressure or low-pressure-compatible tapware. These products are specially designed to balance the flow so you don’t lose heat or volume. They may cost a little more, but they’ll improve the experience dramatically.

Getting it wrong can lead to ongoing frustration and wasted water. A shower mixer that isn’t suited to your pressure will struggle to give you a steady temperature, and some taps simply won’t function properly if the water pressure is too low.

Before you start your renovation, check your cylinder, ask your plumber and be sure to match your tapware to your system. That way, your new shower will look good and feel even better.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a podcast featuring insights from experienced professionals and is intended for general information and inspiration only. While we aim to share valuable guidance, please seek personalised advice from qualified professionals before making decisions about your property, finances, or renovation plans.