A guide to fixing low water pressure in the shower

Low water pressure is a common and frustrating issue for homeowners. Fortunately, learning how to fix it is quite easy.
In general, low water pressure in the shower of a new home could be a result of defective plumbing, whereas gradual development of low water pressure in the shower in an older home may simply be due to a clogged showerhead. In both cases, the actual cause can only be discovered after some troubleshooting.

When fixing a low water pressure problem in the shower, the first thing to note is if the low pressure is only in the hot water tap and/or cold water tap. The next step is to assess the water pressure in the rest of the home.

Inadequate plumbing may be a reason if the water pressure is low in all taps. If the shower tap pressure initially has sufficient pressure and then decreases after turning off all taps, it indicates inadequate plumbing.This may have occurred if there was recent plumbing work done to your home.

Small water mains from the municipal water supply may be a reason for the low pressure in the shower. The solution in such cases is not simple.

Leakage from the pipes is a common reason why shower pressure can be low. The loss of water will lead to lower supply to the showerhead. If there is suspicion of leakage, there is a need to check all the water pipes and joints, including the main municipal pipe, for leakage.

If there is low shower pressure in a new house that you have just purchased, talk to your neighbours to make sure it is not a community problem. In such a case, the problem may be related to the main municipal water system. If this is a problem with other homes, you may need to install a water pressure booster that works by increasing the pressure of water from the main water pipe to your bathroom.

If only your home is affected, the problem may be the water pressure-reducing valve. It could be that the previous owner may have installed a regulator to control the force of water diverted from the municipal supply line. Try to determine the type of valve in your home and ask a plumber to re-adjust the settings of the water flow to ahigher rate.

Another thing to check is to ensure the main shut-off valve is open all the way. If it is not, it can easily be adjusted without the help of a plumber.

If the shower pressure has been fine and only suddenly drops, then the problem may be with the showerhead. This problem may be resolved by simply changing the showerhead to one designed for low pressure. Low pressure showerheads can increase the velocity of water even when the pressure of water is low.

Finally if the cause of low shower pressure is not identified, and you are unable to fix it, then you will have to consult with a plumber.