How to Increase Water Pressure in Your Shower

Posted on February 19, 2021

There’s nothing more soothing and refreshing than standing under a hot shower after a long day. On the flipside there’s also nothing that spoils the experience more than weak water pressure. There are several reasons to why this might be happening, and fortunately this issue can be remedied with a minimal investment of time and money. Here’s how you can get started:

Clean your shower head

More often than not, the solution to improving the water pressure in your shower is simply cleaning the showerhead. Showerheads easily get clogged with mineral deposits and other gunk over time, and it’s a task that often gets overlooked. When it comes to cleaning, Good Housekeeping recommends pouring a mixture of vinegar and water into a plastic bag, and putting the bag around the shower head so the holes are immersed in the liquid. Secure the bag with a twist tie and allow it to soak for up to an hour, and then wipe away the loosened deposits after. If that doesn’t do the trick, it might be time to invest in a new showerhead.

Install a shower pump

If you happen to have a gravity-fed plumbing system, installing a shower pump may be the best option. A HomeServe Living guide to fixing low water pressure details how pumps give the water a boost as it flows from your hot water tank to the shower. If renovating the bathroom you have the option to upgrade your current shower to a power shower that has a pump already built-in. An electric shower is an option too, but since electric showers only use a cold water supply, the water has to flow slowly to allow time for it to heat up, resulting in a gentler flow. Whichever route you choose, just be sure to hire a professional plumber to do a proper and safe installation.

Fix the curb-side main shutoff

There’s also a chance that you’re struggling with low water pressure because the curb-side main is not fully turned on. This may be caused by construction, which required the valve to be turned off. There is a chance that it was not fully turned back on afterward, so it’s worth checking if the valve is turned on all the way. The Spruce suggests that if the valve has a round handle, it should be rotated counterclockwise. If it’s the lever-type, the lever should be parallel to the water pipe. However, if you have to fix the curb-site meter, the best course of action is to call your water provider to check on it for you.

Seek help from a professional

The best thing to do is to call a plumber if you can’t get to the bottom of the issue. They will be able to identify and solve the problem. Plus, as mentioned in our ‘Tips and Direction on Plumbing Upgrades of Every Size’ post, they can also help you with the necessary upgrades you need to improve your bathroom.