Sandton Emergency Plumbing
Water Pressure Problems
Too little pressure is annoying. Too much is expensive.
Call 010 500 1849Water pressure complaints come in two directions and people only ever call about one of them. Low pressure is obvious and irritating: a shower that dribbles, a bath that takes fifteen minutes, appliances that run slowly. High pressure is silent and far more costly, quietly destroying mixer cartridges, stressing geyser cylinders and turning small weaknesses into burst pipes.
We measure rather than estimate. A static and dynamic pressure test at the meter and at fixtures tells us immediately whether the problem is municipal supply, internal pipework, a failed pressure-reducing valve or simply a scaled aerator.
Measured diagnosis
We test pressure and flow at several points, which distinguishes a supply problem from an internal one within minutes.
Protects your fittings
Correcting excessive pressure extends the life of geysers, mixers and appliances across the whole property.
Pump and tank solutions
Where municipal supply is genuinely weak, we design pressure pump and storage systems sized to the household.
Hammer eliminated
Banging pipes are resolved at source with proper valve selection and arrestors, not by clipping pipes tighter.
How water pressure problems actually works
Low pressure has several distinct causes and the fix differs entirely for each. Municipal supply pressure in parts of Gauteng genuinely fluctuates, particularly on higher ground and during peak demand. Internally, corroded galvanised pipework narrows over decades until flow is a fraction of what it should be. A partially closed stopcock, a failing pressure-reducing valve, or scaled aerators and shower heads each produce similar symptoms with much cheaper solutions.
Excessive pressure is more common in northern Johannesburg than most homeowners realise. Domestic fittings and geysers are designed around a specific working pressure, and running consistently above it shortens the life of everything downstream. A correctly sized and correctly positioned pressure-reducing valve is one of the highest-return plumbing interventions available, and it is a small job.
Water hammer — the bang when a tap or appliance valve closes — is a pressure and velocity problem. It is not cosmetic: the shock loading fatigues joints and is a genuine cause of eventual failures. We resolve it by correcting pressure, adding arrestors at the fixtures generating it, and where necessary re-securing pipework. Ongoing pressure monitoring forms part of our preventative maintenance plans.
Common issues we see
- Weak flow at upstairs showers and basins
- Pressure dropping sharply when a second tap is opened
- Banging pipes when taps or appliances close
- Repeated mixer cartridge and valve failures
- Geyser overflow discharging continuously
- Pressure that varies significantly through the day
- Poor flow only at hot taps
When to call us immediately
- Showers have become noticeably weaker over time
- You are replacing tap cartridges more than once a year
- Pipes bang audibly when the washing machine cycles
- Your geyser overflow runs constantly
- One part of the house has good pressure and another does not
Our process
What happens after you call
- 1
Measure at the meter
Static and dynamic pressure readings establish what the property is actually receiving.
- 2
Measure at fixtures
Comparing readings across the property separates supply issues from internal restriction.
- 3
Identify the restriction
Valves, pipework condition, aerators and PRVs are checked in order of likelihood.
- 4
Correct and verify
PRV installation, pipework upgrade or pump system, then re-tested to confirm the result.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal domestic water pressure?
Most South African fittings and geysers are designed around roughly 400kPa. Considerably above that shortens the life of the whole system.
Will a pump fix my low pressure?
Only if the supply itself is weak. If the restriction is internal — corroded pipework or a throttled valve — a pump treats the symptom expensively and fixes nothing.
Why is only my hot water weak?
Usually a pressure-reduced geyser supply, a partially blocked geyser outlet, or scale in the hot circuit. It is a straightforward test to confirm.
Is high pressure really a problem?
Yes. It is a leading cause of premature geyser failure, repeated cartridge replacements and burst joints, and it is inexpensive to correct.
How long does a pressure survey take?
A standard residential pressure survey takes around an hour, including recommendations.
Related services
Where we deliver this service
Sandton Emergency Plumbing
Africa's busiest business district, plumbed and protected around the clock.
Midrand Emergency Plumbing
The fastest-growing corridor in Gauteng, served by plumbers who live in it.
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From Irene's smallholdings to Highveld's office parks, covered around the clock.
Need water pressure problems today?
We answer every call in person, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — including public holidays. Emergency plumber dispatched in as little as 20 minutes.