Troubleshooting Plumbing & Shower Pressure

Nothing is more disappointing than looking forward to a invigorating shower only to discover a lackluster trickle of water. Inadequate shower pressure can be the result of numerous issues. Troubleshoot the most likely problems first. If that doesn’t do the trick, it’s time for some serious shower-power sleuthing. Shower pressure issues are generally limited to the shower assembly, but there are exceptions, some of which can be costly to repair.

Clogged Shower Head

If your home has hard water, mineral deposits can build up in the shower head, gradually blocking the water pressure. To determine if the shower head is the culprit, remove it by twisting it off, and turn on the shower to check the pressure coming from the pipe. If the water blasts out, you could have a clogged shower head. Rinse the shower head nozzle or soak it in vinegar or a mineral deposit remover. If that doesn’t help, it’s probably time to buy a new shower head.

Flow-Restricting Shower Heads and Faucets

To conserve water, fixture manufacturers install flow-restrictors in shower heads and faucets. Some of these have flow regulators you can adjust manually to increase pressure. Check with the faucet manufacturer to see if you can adjust a flow-restrictor. Sometimes a flow-restrictor is located in the faucet assembly rather than shower head. Removing a shower faucet is a bit more of a task, so if you're not familiar with basic plumbing skills, leave the job for a plumber.

Reduced Pressure Throughout the Home

Before calling a plumber or buying a new shower head, check the pressure in the fixtures in the rest of the home. If water flow in the kitchen sink and from an outdoor spigot is just as wimpy, the problem could be on the municipality’s side. A broken water main two blocks away can cut water pressure to everyone in the neighborhood. Check with a neighbor, and if you’re not the only one with an issue, contact your city authority to report the problem.

Leak in Water Supply Line

Loss of water pressure can be a sign that water is leaking from a pipe or that another plumbing fixture is drawing water. While the usual culprit is a clothes washer or family member bathing the dog outdoors, if you can rule those out and the pressure is low in all the faucets in your home, you could have a leak. When a leak is large enough to cause pressure loss, a lot of water is going somewhere it shouldn’t. The best way to determine whether you have a leak is to turn off every water-using fixture in your home and ask family members not to run a faucet or flush a commode. Go to the main water meter and lift the manhole-type cover. If the meter dials are moving, even slowly, you have a leak. A leak under the house can flood the crawlspace and go undetected for days. Underground leaks can show up in wet patches on the lawn.

About the Author

Glenda Taylor


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