Fixing Low Water Pressure in Your Shower
In the hectic rhythm of modern life, the time you set aside for a shower would ideally help you rejuvenate. If your water pressure is too low, it could become unpleasant. Fixing that depends on the cause of the low pressure. Some are easier to fix than others, and if you are not sure what the cause is, it is best to work down the list from easiest to hardest.
Easier Fixes
If you have a flexible hose supplying your showerhead with water, it’s possible there is a kink somewhere in the system which you could unloop to increase flow and pressure.
The valve from the water main to your shower may not be fully open. This is especially possible if you recently hired a plumber to fix an issue that made them close the valve temporarily. They may have not turned the handle back all the way. If you have both hot and cold water supply, be sure to check both valves.
Those are both issues of water supply, but the issue might lie in water usage. Are you taking showers when a lot of other people are also using water? Older plumbing systems may be under stress to output enough volumes of water to satisfy everybody’s needs. This could also be the case if you’re running appliances like the dishwasher while you shower. Try showering at a different time to see if it makes a difference.
Harder Fixes
Sometimes the parts in your shower assembly are working fine but were designed to restrict flow. The showerhead is the most common culprit. Industry standards forbid certain amounts of pressure out of safety concerns and some manufacturers go overboard. If you know what brand of showerhead you have, you could look online to see its reviews and if many people are having similar issues.
Replacing a showerhead takes a little DIY spirit, some common tools, and different directions depending on the manufacturer. Before you buy a new head check to see if your current showerhead’s pressure is actually being decreased by a flow restrictor. They look like lugnuts and are meant to reduce water costs and usage. If you remove it, the pressure should increase.
Other reasons for decreased flow include leaks somewhere in your pipe system or a malfunctioning shower pump. You could try to fix those yourself, too, but if you want to get some professional help call (808) 691-9309 Oahu, (808) 400-8811 Hawaii Island to contact EPS Hawaii, Oahu’s most trusted 24/7 plumbers.
