More often than not, no water pressure in the shower, bathrooms and other parts of the house are caused by your pipes or drains being blocked. You may also have a broken or leaking pipe. If this is the case, you may notice a damp smell, an increase in your water bill or water on your carpets or walls.
The issue could run deeper, resulting in more serious plumbing headaches. Clogged pipes are one of the most frequent causes of low water pressure. Many people don't realize that clogged drain pipes will not affect your home's water pressure.
Old pipes, especially ones made from metal, can corrode or rust from the inside. If mineral deposits are stuck in a water supply pipe, they can disrupt the flow to your shower (or other faucets). Similarly, if you have a small leak somewhere in your plumbing, low water pressure could be a noticeable symptom.
Partially Closed Valve
One of the most common issues that can lead to low water pressure problems is that the water is being obstructed by one or more partially closed shutoff valves. Typically, a home will have one main shutoff valve located inside the house.
One of the most common causes of low pressure to a kitchen or bathroom sink faucet is debris or mineral buildup in the aerator. The aerator is the tiny screen that you see at the end of your faucet.
You can make a DIY unclogging mixture from a couple of household supplies. With items like vinegar, baking soda, and water, you can make an effective and eco-friendly mixture for unclogging your pipes and drainages. What is this? The baking soda and hot water will help loosen up any build-up in clogged pipes.
Depending on your current flow rate, you may be able to increase the flow simply by removing the filter or restricting device or replacing the showerhead with a higher-flow model, such as increasing to a standard 2.5 GPM head. Before you change the showerhead, make sure that the new model is legal in your area.
If your shower has low water pressure, installing a high-pressure shower head can take your bathing experience from “barely rinsed” to “fully refreshed.” Learn more about choosing the best shower head for low-pressure plumbing.
Lower pressure could be more severe than you imagine, potentially involving serious problems like leaking or cracked water pipes and may require professional intervention before snowballing into a home plumbing disaster.
If the water from your showerhead is shooting out in all directions, or your flow has become almost nonexistent, the holes in your showerhead are probably clogged with hard water minerals and soap residue.
You'll be pleased to know that a standard blockage, caused by flushing inappropriate materials or too much toilet roll, will unblock itself eventually. Although, bear in mind that the problem will continue until you've had your drains jetted or rodded to remove any leftover obstructions.
Corrosion
The chemicals in the product are designed to break own the clog, but if left for too long, they can start to break down the pipes themselves. This can lead to cracks and leaks in the pipes, leading to various issues, including water damage and flooding.
For water conservation purposes, most plumbing codes require faucets and showering devices to not exceed a certain maximum flow rate. Removing the flow restrictors could cause these devices to no longer meet these codes.
Most low-flow showerheads have a rubber pressure-reducing valve (called a regulator) to maintain a lower pressure. You can increase the flow by simply taking it out. You could also consider enlarging the hole that allows water into your showerhead with a drill to increase the amount of water coming through.
The shower valve plays a big role when it comes to your showering routine. The showerhead may be where water flows from, but the shower valve controls the water pressure and temperature to ensure an enjoyable shower experience.
If you've had your shower for some time, there may be a build-up of limescale and sediment in the showerhead obstructing the flow of water. To clean it, unscrew the showerhead from the hose and immerse the whole thing in a bowl of vinegar for 8 hours. Then manually remove any remaining debris.
Baking soda and vinegar can serve as a natural solution to unclog and clean a stinky drain.
While these sounds can be scary and seem like serious issues, the cause is usually quite benign. Most often, a loud sound coming from your pipes is caused by trapped air. By turning off your main water supply and running all faucets for 10-15 minutes, you force any trapped air through your water pipes.
If the problem only occurs in one fixture – whether it's the sink, shower or tub – that fixture probably needs to be cleaned or replaced. For faucets, a clogged aerator can lessen water pressure. Clean faucets by unscrewing the nozzle and placing it in a solution of vinegar and water.
Clogged aerators and clogged cartridges are two of the most common causes of low water pressure in a sink. The aerator is the tip of the faucet that the water comes out of, while the cartridge is found underneath the sink handle and enables you to stop and start the flow of water.
Check Your Aerator
If you have especially hard water, aerators become clogged with hard water buildup, a common cause of low water pressure in kitchen fixtures. Clean your aerator for a quick and easy DIY fix. Remove the aerator from the faucet using pliers and a towel (to prevent scratching).