What Can Cause Low Water Pressure in a Shower?

A disappointing shower is not a good way to start or end a day. Luckily, we have found some quick fixes to pump the water pressure in your shower. Have a look!

Old Low-Flow Showerheads

Conserving water has become a global issue and according to some experts, using low-flow showerheads is a good first step when making environmentally friendly changes.

Around a decade ago, standard showerheads used to deliver 5 to 8 gallons of water per minute (GPM). This standard was then revised in 1992 and the current federally mandated flow rate for all showerheads includes a maximum of 2.5 GPM. Low-flow showerheads are often recommended because they can disperse 2 gallons or even less water per minute, thus decreasing your water consumption and cutting down on your monthly water bill.

However, the same cannot be said for old models of low-flow showerheads – they are not as effective as the new versions. So, replace your old showerhead with a newer model and I promise you’ll have a more pleasant shower. And, for more information about some of the best low-flower showerheads of 2022, click here!

Clogged Showerheads

Most of the time, when water is not coming out adequately from the showerhead you bought some 5 or 10 years ago, there’s a high probability that it’s dirty or clogged. Mineral deposits are often the main causes of a fully or partially blocked showerhead, especially if you have hard water. As long as the plumbing in the wall is not leaking, you can just remove the showerhead ad submerge it in a mixture of vinegar and water. It is better to take the head off and soak it, but there’s also another method to clean and unclog the showerhead. All you need to do is to pour the vinegar and water solution into a plastic bag, put it over the showerhead and then secure it with a rubber band.

While the showerhead is being soaked, use a pair of tweezers or needle-nose pliers to remove the filter screen –you’ll find it right where the head connects to the pipe. Using some lukewarm water and a soft toothbrush, gently clean the filter screen – remember not to use any commercial cleaning products.

Additional Tip: If your shower nozzles are made from rubber, ditch the vinegar-water solution and use a soft toothbrush to massage the mineral deposits away. And, don’t forget to run the water right after the massage séance.

Peak Hours

Sometimes, low water pressure doesn’t always mean there’s a problem with the showerhead or within the pipes and the house’s plumbing system. There is something called “peak periods.” On-peak hours refer to the times of the day when most people would use the most water to shower, like early morning when everyone is preparing for work or for school. Studies show that almost half of the shower events occur during the busiest hours of the day, i.e., between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m in the morning and between 7:00 and 10:00 p.m at night.

So, if you want to enjoy a pleasant shower, make sure the time of your shower doesn’t fall during peak times of the day.

Do You Have a Thermostatic Mixing Valve?

Did you ever experience those moments when you are showering and someone –most probably your kids – flushed the toilet and there’s a sudden drop in the shower water pressure?

Here’s how flushing the toilet could impact your water flow.

The shower mixing valve is mainly responsible for regulating the water temperature by mixing cold and hot water. When someone flushes the toilet, cold water is drawn from the shower. Upon sensing a fall in cold water pressure, the mixing valve would respond by regulating hot water pressure and that’s when you are hit with a blast of hot water and feel the fall in water pressure. It usually lasts for only 15-30 seconds –the time the toilet bowl needs to refill. However, if you don’t want to go through this, I suggest installing a thermostatic mixing valve.