A rejuvenating shower is one of life's simple pleasures, but when you are dealing with low water pressure, your shower may feel more frustrating than relaxing. Low water pressure can be caused by several different problems, including:
- Leaks or blockages in your plumbing system
- Old pipes
- Clogged shower head
- Broken pump
- High demand and not enough supply
If you are experiencing low water pressure in your shower, there are several solutions you can try.
1. Clean the Shower Head
Shower heads can quickly become blocked with mineral deposits, limescale and sediment. Your home could have good water pressure, but if the shower head is clogged, the water will still come out in a trickle.
To fix this issue, unscrew and clean the inside of your shower head. You should also clean the filter if your shower head has one using a toothbrush or other small brush. You should also check the rubber nozzle to ensure there are no blockages there. If you find mineral buildup on the shower head, you can remove it by immersing the shower head in a bowl of vinegar and letting it soak overnight.
2. Shower During Off-Peak Hours
Water pressure can sometimes be affected by demand, which can become an issue when neighbors or other people in your home are using the shared water supply at the same time. Try showering at a different time than usual. If you experience better water pressure, the problem likely has to do with high demand and limited supply rather than actual low water pressure.
3. Check for Kinks
A kink in the hose or water line could obstruct the flow of water. First, make sure your hose is not twisted. Then, if you have flexible water lines instead of pipes, check the lines for kinks. If you find any, you should be able to smooth them out for a quick fix.
4. Check the Main Shutoff in the House
It is possible that a previous owner turned down the main water valve to reduce water pressure. If your space was previously a rental, the former owners may have turned it down so their tenants would use less water. It also could have been turned off due to previous repair or construction and then never turned all the way back on.
To open the valve fully, turn the shutoff either parallel to the water pipe for a lever handle or counterclockwise for a round handle. If the valve looks corroded or is difficult to turn, call a plumber to avoid snapping the valve.
5. Look for Leaks
Leaking pipes can significantly reduce your water pressure and cause damage to your home if left unattended. If you find any leaks, call a professional plumber right away. In the interim, you can use the DIY plumbing solution of covering the leak with epoxy putty.
Contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Syracuse Today
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Syracuse is your local plumbing professional. We provide a wide range of plumbing and septic services performed by our licensed plumbing experts at flat-rate, affordable prices. For more information, give us a call at 315-472-1203 or request a free estimate.