A good shower can help you get moving in the morning, or refresh you after a good workout or long day of work. That’s why dealing with a shower with low water pressure can be so frustrating. When water is trickling instead of spraying, you may have to scrub harder and wash longer — and the water may feel colder because it’s covering less of your skin surface.
Does this sound all too familiar to you? Are you dealing with low water pressure in your shower and wondering what to do about it? If so, read on for more information on a few things you need to know.
Perks of Proper Pressure in the Shower
Determining the cause of poor water pressure is worth the trouble. An obvious reason is that you want to know that the root issue isn’t something that will lead to bigger problems down the road. Proper water pressure also makes for more efficient water use and more enjoyable showers.
Fixing poor water pressure starts with understanding what has gone wrong. Whether your water pressure is too high or too low, it’s a red flag indicating something isn’t working as it should. There’s no better time than now to figure out what’s going on.
What Causes Low Water Pressure in the Shower — and What to Do About It
Whether you are experiencing low water pressure in one shower or multiple showers in your home, there’s a possibility that one of the following common problems is to blame:
- Too much demand on the water supply.
If you’re in the shower while the dishwasher is running or the toilet is being flushed, your water supply is being directed to two different places. The pressure is basically being diluted, and some of the water that would have gone to the shower is being sent elsewhere. If your shower water pressure increases and returns to normal when no other water is being used, this is probably the issue.
Solution: Don’t run other water when you’re in the shower. - The shower head is blocked.
If the shower is alone in experiencing low water pressure, no matter how many faucets are running, the problem could be a blocked shower head.
Solution: You likely will have to unscrew the shower head to remove it. Check to see whether there’s an obstruction preventing water from flowing freely. Remove any sediment by soaking the shower head in a bowl of vinegar overnight and pushing obstructive material out with a toothpick. Alternatively, you may have to replace the shower head. - You have a water-saving shower head.
If the problem has existed since you moved in, it’s possible you have a water-saving feature in the shower head and weren’t aware of it. These shower heads are designed to lower water consumption, which may also mean lowering the water level pressure.
Solution: Determine whether you have a water-saving shower head installed. If so, replace it with a standard shower head. - Your water main is leaking.
A larger-scale issue that can affect shower pressure is a problem with the water main. If it’s not all the way open, if the main is leaking or obstructed, or if there’s a related equipment malfunction, the water pressure throughout the house likely will be affected. If you just bought a new build, the water main may not have been opened all the way. Similarly, if you just bought an existing home, it’s possible previous owners adjusted the water main to try to reduce household water consumption. If you’re dealing with a leak, you could be paying for water you don’t even use.
Solution: Ask your water provider to check your water main for leaks, as well as the shut-off valve on your water meter to see whether it’s turned all the way to the “open” position to maximize water flow.
A nice shower is one of life’s little luxuries. So is having a bathroom that features quality fixtures and design. Whether you’re updating a bathroom, upgrading plumbing fixtures or adding accessories, a great resource is modernbathroom.com.
As the Internet’s leading provider of bathroom products at factory-direct prices, Modern Bathroom is pleased to offer affordable items, free shipping and a low-price guarantee. We’ll refund 110 percent of the difference if you find something you buy from us at a lower cost within 30 days. Whether you’re swapping out a shower head or overhauling your entire bathroom space, we’re your resource for getting it done at affordable prices, with quality products.
Are you interested in updating your shower or other aspects of your bathroom? Check out our full catalog of quality, brand-name bathroom products at modernbathroom.com. And if you have any questions, contact us anytime to learn more about our quality showers, shower heads, glass enclosures and more.