Low water pressure is a common complaint in Dubai apartments, whether it's a shower that dribbles, a tap that trickles, or a washing machine that takes an age to fill. Fortunately, the fixes for most causes are inexpensive and easy. The key is in knowing if the problem is blocked aerator, a partially closed valve, or a failing booster pump. In this guide, he'll take you step-by-step from the least serious to the most serious problem and explain what's going on without you having to speak to anyone on the phone.

Question #1: one button or all the apartments?

Look here for all but almost everything. Take a few showers and use a couple of taps:

If only one is weak, the problem is just with that tap or shower, which is likely one of a blocked aerator, a scaled cartridge, or a valve that isn't completely open. These are the quick and dirty solutions.

Where the entire apartment is weak, it is a supply-side problem, such as a weak booster pump, main or pressure valve, building supply or hidden leak bleeding off pressure. A plumber is typically called in at this point.

Another tip that can be helpful: Is it hot water, cold water or both? Weakness, hot only, can indicate scale on the heater or hot lines; hot only or both can indicate the supply, valve or pump.

With a single fixture

So good news is, these you can often sort yourself:

Aerator or showerhead is clogged: The little holes get plugged by scale due to Dubai's hard water. Remove and place in vinegar or descale, brush and refit. See our hard water guide for more information about that.

A half closed isolation valve: The small in-line valve under the sink or behind the toilet may have been knocked or slightly closed, open it completely.

A cartridge inside a mixer: That is worn or reduced in size, limiting flow and is an easy replacement. See our tap & mixer replacement page.

A flexible hose that is kinked or blocked to the tap.

If the entire apartment is poorly constructed

If the pressure is all low, then it must be due to a low pressure further upstream:

Failure of a booster pump: A booster pump is used to increase the pressure of the water from the tank or supply in many Dubai apartments and villas. With it worn, broken or the pressure switch not functioning, weak flow throughout your home. This is one of the most frequent causes – refer to water pump repair.

A main valve or pressure reducing: Valve that is partially closed or is defective, restricting flow downstream of it.

A problem with a building's supply of water: such as a low tank level, a building pump issue or demand at peak times. If neighbours have it, it is the building's job, mark it to management.

A leaking pressure loss: before you get to your taps. If leakage is present and/or water is dripping or running, conduct a leak detection.

Flow is impeded by scaling or corrosion over the years, sometimes resulting in re-piping.

You can perform a quick check before calling

• Try multiple taps, one or all of the home?

• Record if hot, cold or both.

• Clean the aerator and showerhead of scale.

• Make sure isolation valves are fully open.

• See if a neighbour has it as well, this will tell you if it's your unit or building.

• Listen for running water or look for water soaked areas in case of a leak.

The importance of Dubai's pump usage and why it's so popular

A lot of Dubai homes use a tank instead of a high pressure main for water and a booster pump is used to provide a strong shower. As this pump begins to wear out, you will notice weak pressure from every outlet, a pump running constantly or a pump that turns on and off quickly, some strange noises coming from the pump, or — at worst — no pressure at all. A plumber in Dubai can either test it, adjust or replace pressure switch, or repair or exchange the pump. Typically, it is not as big a task as one may think, and we service all the major brands of water booster and pressure pumps.

When to call a plumber

If all of your apartment is weak or if your pump is noisy or short-cycling, if the pressure has slowly slipped away over the years (scale or a leak), or if the pressure has suddenly gone to zero, call in a professional. A complete loss of water can be an emergency — our 24 hours a day team can help immediately! In either case we will diagnose the true cause and offer you a fixed price before they start work.

The bottom line

First of all, find out if it's a single tap or the whole home as this will help narrow it down to either 5 minutes of cleaning or a pump in need of cleaning. Resolve the easy ones first, if there's still low pressures around, chances are it's worth getting the pump and valves checked. A strong shower is typically a much simpler repair than one might think.