Certain shower heads CAN increase the velocity {force} of your water, which does in fact give you a better shower. The problem is that most people who suffer from low water pressure have absolutely no clue what shower head to buy. Just going out and buying a shower head and removing the flow restrictor does NOTHING.
Many modern shower heads are designed specifically to increase the pressure of the water coming out of the showerhead itself. So, while they can't increase the actual water pressure of the home, they do improve the showering experience.
Different showerheads require different psi for effective flow. If your home doesn't have enough water pressure for the head you choose, water won't be able to flow with enough strength or consistency to be effective. Most shower heads need between 40 and 60 psi.
Differentiating Between Low Flow And High Flow Shower Heads
When it comes to Shower Heads, you'll typically find 2.5 GPM, 2.0 GPM, 1.8 GPM and 1.5 GPM. If you're looking for the most pressure, go for the 2.5 GPM Flow Rate, unless you are restricted because you reside in California, Colorado or New York.
A high pressure shower head maximizes the flow of water through the shower head for a powerful spray. Waterpik® shower head engineers design water passages to minimize flow restriction and optimize the shower force, and put every shower head design through more than 1,000 hours of testing.
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.
Low pressure in a shower can be caused by several issues such as a clogged showerhead, a worn-out mixing valve, closed valve, leaking pipe, or even a faulty water heater.
If you've just installed a brand-new showerhead and find that the pressure is suddenly lower, it's probably because you've purchased a water-saving showerhead. Check the labels around the rim, or perform the showerhead GPM test as described below.
If you have high pressure (achieved with or without a pump), you will get a better flow rate and can consider big rain heads, body jets and the ability to have two or more taps or showers on at the same time. A high pressure system will work well with a mixer, electric or digital shower.
But rain showers have the same flow rates as traditional showerheads. This means the same amount of water must travel further to be distributed across a bigger area, which can result in low water pressure.
In most cases this indicates a fixture specific problem. If the faucet water has good pressure, but not the shower head, the shower head is likely clogged. If your shower head is old, it may be time to replace it.
If you notice low water pressure from just one or two of the fixtures in your house, the problem likely has to do with debris buildup. Water is full of minerals and other debris, all of which can accumulate in your pipes and on your fixtures. This can cause a blockage that affects how much water flows through.
The Fire Hydrant Spa Shower Head Spa Plaza is a good replacement shower head that is designed to boost water pressure in low flow settings. It has a 4-inch face to provide wide coverage, and this enables the water to reach all parts of your body.
Many people don't realize it, but shower heads should actually be replaced every 6 to 8 months.
If your water pressure seems low, the first step should be to test how much pressure you're actually getting from the shower head. A typical home's water pressure should be somewhere between 45 to 55 psi (pounds per square inch).
Two big reasons: To help lower utility bills -- and to conserve water. According to the EPA, the average family could save 2,700 gallons per year by installing WaterSense labeled showerheads. Since these water savings will reduce demands on water heaters, they will also save energy.
showers don't last very long like they used to do. I have fitted replacement showers for many years now and noticed the trend towards returning customers asking for replacements within 2 - 4 years. 1 Entry level showers are cheap to buy and made to sell cheap - So manufacturers make these for market share.
We will always recommend that a professional plumber replace and install all showers in your home.