If you're a homeowner who is dealing with low water pressure in your shower, learning how to improve it can save you time, money, and endless frustration. Low water pressure can cause your showers to take twice as long (or even longer), which can leave you feeling exhausted and exasperated before work each morning. Fortunately, there are some simple do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions that can help increase the water pressure in your home's showers quickly and easily.
Tips for Improving the Water Pressure in Your Shower
While some issues that cause your shower to have low water pressure will require the help of a licensed plumber, in many cases, there are DIY fixes for such issues. The following are a few tips that may be able to help you improve the water pressure in your home’s showers:
- Check the water pressure at your main water supply. One of the first steps to take is to determine if the low pressure is caused by an issue within your house, or if it originates at the main water supply. Checking the water pressure at your main water supply is simple and can go a long way towards helping you identify what may be causing your lack of flow. Many homes have a shut off valve outside that has a pressure gauge attached to keep track of your home’s water pressure. Checking this pressure gauge first will enable you to better diagnose and act on any low-pressure issues impacting your home.
- Clean sediment from the shower head and faucet aerators. Cleaning the sediment from your shower head and faucet aerators can make a huge difference in improving your shower's water pressure. It's an easy fix that requires no special tools or expertise. Just unscrew the faucet aerator, soak it overnight in vinegar, scrub it with a toothbrush, and rinse it out. Don't forget to take apart and clean the shower head as well. Taking these measures can help ensure you have high water pressure for many showers to come.
- Increase the size of the piping to your shower head. If you're experiencing low water pressure in your home's shower, one reliable way to increase it is to increase the size of the piping in your bathroom. By increasing the diameter of the pipe running from your main line and into your shower, you'll be able to facilitate more gallons per minute (GPM) through it and ultimately yield higher pressure and an improved showering experience. Doing this safely and effectively, however, requires some plumbing know-how. So, it’s best to leave a project like this to a professional licensed plumber.
- Install a high-pressure shower pump for more power. Installing a high-pressure shower pump is an easy and efficient solution for gaining more power for your showers. This pump will allow you to customize the flow and pressure to suit your preferences, giving you control of your showering experience. Although DIY installation may be possible, it’s a good idea to seek professional help if you are unsure of your plumbing ability.
- Consider installing a low-flow shower head with adjustable flow settings. Installing a low-flow shower head could help to improve the water pressure in your home's showers. Low-flow shower heads can be easily installed, and many models have adjustable spray settings that let you customize the intensity and duration of each shower. This can potentially save you money on your water bill and cuts down on waste from using too much water when you don't need it. And with just one simple installation, you can enjoy the benefits almost immediately.
- Use a water pressure gauge to determine if you need plumbing repairs or replacement parts. Having low water pressure in your shower can be quite annoying, and sometimes it's hard to tell whether you can fix it yourself or if you need to call a plumber. To help make that determination, consider using a water pressure gauge. These are useful tools that measure the flow rate of water, letting you know if you need professional plumbing repairs to help restore the water pressure in your shower or a DIY repair will do.
Need help with low water pressure in your home? Call Smith’s Plumbing Services at (901) 290-1110 or get in touch with us online today to discuss your situation with our experienced plumbing team in Memphis. To learn more about Smith’s Plumbing Services, read our customers’ reviews.