If you feel like your shower’s water pressure is getting worse, it’s not just your imagination! Even a new showerhead that starts out providing excellent water pressure can slowly begin to deliver weaker and weaker water pressure over time. There are a number of reasons why this can occur.
Below are four of the most common reasons why showers stop providing adequate water pressure, along with what can be done to fix the issue.
1. Mineral Deposits
If your home has hard water (water that is high in mineral content), the minerals from that water get left behind on your showerhead. These leftover minerals harden and accumulate until eventually, they clog the holes in your showerhead where water comes out, resulting in lower water pressure.
To get rid of mineral deposits on your showerhead, soak your showerhead in distilled, white vinegar overnight. Immediately afterward, scrub any stubborn deposits with a toothbrush soaked in warm distilled, white vinegar. Simply wipe your showerhead clean--no need to rinse.
2. Faulty or Outdated Showerhead
Some showerheads can be adjusted to provide different levels of pressure and different types of water flow. If this is the type of showerhead that you own, you may have received a faulty product from the manufacturer, or it could be that the pressure regulator has broken. Replacing the showerhead will be your best option.
If you own an older low-flow showerhead, it may not be designed to provide you with the water pressure you desire. Update to a modern low-flow showerhead, which uses air to provide the feeling of firm water pressure while using less water than a standard showerhead.
3. Water Main Pressure Issue
If you’re experiencing weak water pressure from more plumbing fixtures than just your showerhead, there may be a problem with your water main’s water pressure reducing valve. As its name implies, this valve helps prevent an excessive amount of water pressure from entering your home by reducing high water pressure to a lower water pressure that your plumbing system can handle. For problems with water pressure or a water pressure reducing valve, it’s best to consult a professional plumber.
4. Leaks in Your Plumbing
If water is being lost on its journey through your home’s plumbing to your showerhead, you’re very likely to experience a loss of water pressure. If the leak is small, the change in water pressure might not be that noticeable. However, leaks are one of the reasons why it’s wise to keep on eye on your water bill each month: if you receive an unusually high water bill that you can’t explain, it’s likely that there’s a hidden leak somewhere in your home.
For plumbing repairs and installations, large and small, count on the team of experts at EZ Flow Plumbing.