The most common cause of low shower pressure is a blocked showerhead, as a result of limescale build-up. These blockages obstruct the water flow, leading to reduced pressure over time. Most showers are fitted with a filter, protecting the pipework from debris, but this can become partially blocked by scale.
Clean your showerhead. Remove the water restrictor. Replace your shower hose. Check if your water shut-off valve is fully open.
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.
Depending on the details of your situation, a sudden drop in water pressure could indicate any of the following issues: Faulty plumbing fixture. Faulty hot water heater. Leaking/blocked water supply pipe.
Open your main water valve.
Your house has a main water valve, usually located near the meter; the valve controls the flow of water into your home's pipes. Find the valve and check to see if it's completely open. Opening a half-shut valve is one of the quickest ways for increasing home water pressure.
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.
If the hot water pressure is low, but the cold is fine: You may have sediment and limescale build-up in the pipes or faucet, or it could be caused by a partially closed or restricted shutoff valve.
The water that passes through your hot water tank or tankless system should be flowing at the same amount of pressure as the cold water. When it is not flowing at the same rate, then the cause could be from hot water heater problems or problems with the plumbing water supply lines inside your home.
If there's an accumulation of sediments in your hot water tank, it can lower your water pressure. The presence of kinks in the flexible water pipes used in water heaters can result in low water pressure. If the shut-off valve isn't fully open, water pressure can drop.
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.
A simple way to increase the water pressure in the showerhead is to purchase a new shower head – they're inexpensive items – and look for the washer inside. This is designed to restrict the water flow, but you can widen this with a drill until the water flows properly.
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.
Check Your Water Line & Valve
If your water valve is completely open, then check your water line and hoses. Flexible lines can easily develop kinks, so work those out to make sure that the water flow is smooth. If the water valve is partially closed, you'll need to open it so water can flow through your pipes easily.
To replace a shower valve, you really need to be an experienced home improvement DIYer. To replace a shower valve is a far more complicated task than changing a showerhead. A good knowledge of plumbing is absolutely necessary to do this job successfully.
You Have a Clogged Pipe
The most common cause for a clogged supply pipe is a tree root intrusion. Over time, tree roots can gradually worm their way into your pipe, fill the pipe, and block water flow. It is also possible for other types of debris to build up and cause issues.
Some of the first signs of a failing pressure regulator are a leaking water heater or commode. The water coming from a faucet may also exit with such force that splashing or water “hammering” may occur.
You might lose pressure after a few minutes if there's a big clog in the area where a pipe in your home is connected to the main whole home water supply pipe. There might also be a crack in the pipe, or you might have a faulty valve or an issue with your pressure regulator.
The center of the restrictor is shaped like a star, or similarly shaped, and comes in a variety of colors. It's found behind where the shower head screws off of the pipe coming out of the wall or at the end of the flexible hosing of a handheld shower head.
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.
Do All New Shower Heads Have Flow Restrictors? Not all new shower heads come with flow restrictors. While many brands focus on water and energy efficiency, it's not a universal feature. So, before you make a purchase, it's a good idea to check the specifications and ensure they fit your needs.
While flow rate measures how many gallons of water flow out of your shower head per minute, water pressure is the force with which that water comes out. The two terms are often confused, but they're actually pretty different. Water pressure is determined by your home's plumbing and municipal water supply.