Nothing is worse than a slowly trickling shower — except maybe a burst pipe in the basement. Both problems are caused by incorrect water pressure in your pipes. In Australia, specific regulations govern water pressure. Whether renovating, buying a new place or just trying to fix that annoyingly slow tap, understanding how water pressure works will help you make better plumbing decisions.
Water pressure is the force that pushes water through your pipes and out of your taps.
Your water provider pumps the water to you from sources like dams, rivers or underground aquifers. Typically, water is treated and stored in tanks or towers at an elevated location. Thanks to gravity and the weight of the water, pressure builds and pushes water down through the system and into your home.
Water pressure is measured with a pressure gauge. This handy little gadget screws straight onto a tap and gives you a reading in kilopascals (kPa).
Australian plumbing code says your bathroom, kitchen or laundry water pressure shouldn’t exceed 500 kPa. Above that, the water pressure starts stressing your pipes, hot water system and appliances. However, if the pressure drops below 300 kPa, you’ll begin noticing slow-filling washing machines and weak showers.
There are two types of water pressure measurements: static and dynamic.
Static pressure is the pressure in your pipes when no water is flowing. To check it, turn off all taps and water-using appliances, then screw a pressure gauge onto an outdoor tap. Turn the tap on fully and read the result.
Static pressure gives you a baseline reading of the health of your plumbing when the system is at rest. If your static pressure is over 500 kPa, you may need to install a pressure-reducing valve (PRV) to keep your pipes safe.
If you're planning a reno or installing a new appliance, checking your static pressure first ensures you won’t be stuck with performance issues down the line.
Dynamic pressure is measured when water is actually flowing, like when someone’s in the shower or flushing a toilet. To check it, take a pressure reading while taps are running or appliances are in use.
Dynamic pressure gives you a clearer picture of how your system performs under load. It is useful when diagnosing problems like:
Taps that trickle while another is in use.
A sudden loss of pressure when an appliance kicks in.
Poor performance from modern appliances that rely on consistent flow.
A significant drop from your static pressure reading might mean your pipes are too narrow, partially blocked or your mains supply is underpowered.
You want to choose tapware that matches the water pressure in your home. Taps and accessories like tap aerators and flow restrictors work best when your pressure is in the right range.
Low-pressure systems (like gravity-fed setups in older homes) need tapware specifically designed for low or mixed-pressure conditions. Look for tapware products marked “suitable for high and low pressure.”
High-pressure systems (like mains pressure or pumped systems) offer more flexibility. Most modern taps and showers are designed with these systems in mind.
All tapware has a maximum pressure rating that tells you the highest pressure it can safely handle. Pressures beyond that can lead to internal damage and the famous water hammer pipe noise.
Warranty conditions may not apply if the fixture has been installed in the wrong pressure environment, so always check the specs before you buy.
Even if the static water pressure in your home is well-balanced, the wrong tapware can throw everything off. Cheap or poorly designed fittings can waste water with unnecessarily forceful streams. They cause sudden pressure drops that impact other appliances and increase your water bill.
At Yabby, every tap and shower fitting is Australian-made and WELS-certified, so you know it meets national water efficiency standards. You can also choose from various designs and colours to suit every style.
Explore our tap collection for less water waste and more peace of mind.
