If you own a home, it makes sense that you’ll experience an issue with your plumbing system at some point or another. These problems can vary in size — but just because an issue may seem small doesn’t mean it’s any less frustrating to deal with. For example, having low water pressure in your shower might initially seem like a minor inconvenience, but this complication can significantly disrupt your daily routine.
Fortunately, there are various ways to improve the water pressure in your home. Some steps are straightforward, while others may require a few tools from your local home improvement store.
Are you ready to learn how to increase water pressure in showers? We’ve compiled a list of some of the best ways to fix this annoying problem! So, without wasting any more time, let’s go over five tips to increase water pressure in your shower.
What Causes Low Water Pressure in Showers?
Before we can discuss how to solve the problem of low shower water pressure in your home, it can be helpful to know what can cause water pressure issues in the first place. After all, many parts of your plumbing system, from your water heater to the water pipes in your walls, can have an impact on the water flowing from your shower head.
How to Increase Water Pressure in Showers
Learning how to increase the water pressure in your shower can seem daunting, especially if you aren’t familiar with your plumbing system. Fortunately, getting the job done usually isn’t as difficult as it might seem!
Clean the Shower Head
Over time, your shower head can become clogged with mineral deposits. This is especially true if you have hard water, as this type of water tends to include a higher concentration of minerals and sediment — such as calcium and magnesium.
One of the best tips to increase water pressure in your shower is to thoroughly clean the showerhead to remove any mineral and sediment buildup. You can choose to remove the shower head and soak it in a mixture of water and white vinegar. However, if the shower head won’t come off easily, you can simply secure a plastic bag with vinegar around the shower head with rubber bands or zip ties.
Once you’ve let the shower head soak in vinegar for a few hours, you can scrub it with an old toothbrush to remove any excess debris.
Upgrade Your Shower Head
When learning how to increase water pressure in showers, starting with the easiest tips first makes sense. For example, if you’re looking for a hassle-free solution, you might consider replacing your low-flow showerhead. Some shower heads have flow restrictors that limit their flow of water. Although this device can help you conserve water, it can be frustrating to deal with if you’re used to higher water pressure.
Remove the Flow Restrictor
If you aren’t ready to replace your shower head, there’s no reason to worry. Instead, you can simply choose to remove the flow restrictor in your shower head to fix any water pressure problems you might be experiencing.
Some shower head manuals include instructions for removing the flow restrictor. However, if you can’t find this instruction manual, there are many online guides you can use as a point of reference. You’ll likely need a pair of needle-nose pliers and a pipe wrench for the task.
Check the Main Shut-Off Valve
Since we’re discussing tips to increase water pressure in your shower, we have to mention your home’s shut-off water valve. When called to a house to perform a service, most Tucson plumbing companies will need to shut off the water supply. Unfortunately, the plumber may forget to open the water valve once the job has been completed — or worse, they might not open the valve all the way — which can lead to poor water pressure.
If you think a closed shut-off valve could be to blame for your low water pressure, you’ll want to consider performing a quick inspection. You should check to see if the valve is fully open, and if not, all you have to do is open it.
Adjust Your Water-Using Habits
Did you know that running multiple appliances (such as your washing machine or dishwasher) while taking a shower can lower your water pressure? If you tend to be a multitasker when it comes to using hot water, it might be time to adjust your water-using habits.
One of the best tips to increase water pressure in your shower is to shut off all your hot water-using appliances while showering. Similarly, you’ll want to ensure that multiple family members aren’t trying to shower simultaneously.
Trust Our Experts in Tucson, AZ, for Your Plumbing Needs!
As you can see, learning how to increase water pressure in showers is pretty straightforward. Hopefully, this guide will help you fix the problem and improve your shower experience once again!
If you’re still experiencing problems with your plumbing or water system, turn to the experts at Rite Way for help. We offer solutions for everything from your water pipes to your water heater in Tucson, AZ, and the surrounding areas.
When you’re dealing with plumbing problems, don’t wait to call a plumber. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
