What is commonly referred to as water pressure is determined by an individual home's water system, pipes, location and other elements. The goal became to create shower heads that provide the best shower experience possible, regardless of external factors.
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.
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.
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.
Low pressure in a shower can be caused by a number of issues such as a clogged up showerhead, a worn-out mixing valve, closed valve, leaking pipe, or even a faulty hot water heater.
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.
Fixture Problems
Mineral deposits made up of limestone, rust, and sediment collect inside the fixture which has the potential to block the free flow of water through the fixture. This is the likely culprit for low water pressure if you only have one or two areas that experience pressure issues.
What does a flow restrictor look like? Before you remove the flow restrictor from your shower head, you need to know what it looks like. A water flow restrictor is usually a flat, circular, plastic piece. The center of the restrictor is shaped like a star, or similarly shaped, and comes in a variety of colors.
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 water pressure is low in only one area of the home, it could be an issue of volume. For instance, if the affected bathroom falls at the far end of the supply branch, someone turning on the water in another area of the home could “starve” the pipes for water.
Once you've installed your shower head, switch on the cold water supply and allow the water to run for between 10 and 15 seconds. After this, do the same with the hot side. If you are performing a shower valve test with air, simply follow the same procedure.
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.
9. Do all shower heads have removable flow restrictors? All of ours do, but fewer and fewer on the market are removable and more convert each year to be the non-removable type.
Removing a flow restrictor is illegal according to the US Energy Policy Act of 1992, which limits the maximum shower water flow rate to 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM).
Typical household water pressure in the US is between 50 psi~ 80 psi, therefore often times the actual flow rate out of the shower head would be less than the flow rate rating because they are rated at 80 psi and your house setting is likely not.
Do different shower heads affect water pressure? Yes, depending on which shower head you choose, they can increase the water pressure at the head itself in order to create a more powerful shower or decrease it to create a more gentle shower.
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. Again, this has been the Maximum Flow Rate since 1992. The step down from there in Flow Rate is 2.0 GPM.
A water pressure regulator, if you have one, is usually located where the main water line comes into the house and after the main shut off valve. This way if you need to work on or change the water pressure regulator you can simply shut off the water main to do so.
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.