How to Increase Water Pressure in the Shower
There are two key elements that need to come together for an enjoyable shower – water temperature and water pressure. While preferences vary from person to person, it’s common for homeowners to desire a shower that offers plenty of hot water that shoots out of the shower head at a significant speed. In this article, we are going to talk about the second part of that equation – how to increase water pressure in your shower if it is lacking.
If you have a need for any plumbing help at your home in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, contact Walker Air • Plumbing • Electric right away. We have an experienced team of friendly professionals standing by and ready to assist. Give us a call today!
A Likely Culprit
In many cases, homeowners find that they used to be happy with their water pressure in the shower, only to find that it has declined over the years. Often, the issue isn’t with the water supply itself, but rather the problem is found in the shower head. Specifically, the little nozzles that spray water out into the shower may be clogging up, and the pressure you experience could be dramatically reduced as a result.
The problem here is mineral buildup from the water that flows through the shower head day after day. To improve the water pressure, you’ll simply need to thoroughly clean the head so those nozzles are free and clear and able to let water flow through properly. You should be able to take the shower head apart by unscrewing the body from the front of the head, and you can then clean everything carefully. Dropping all the parts in a bowl of vinegar for an overnight treatment is a good way to deep clean these components.
If manual cleaning is needed, use something small and thin like a toothpick or sewing needle to remove buildup from the nozzle holes. An old toothbrush is also a handy implement for getting things as clean as you can before putting the shower head back together and putting it back in place. Hopefully, this cleaning routine will quickly improve your shower water pressure without taking any further action.
Check the Water Line
In some showers, there is a water line that runs up to the shower head outside of the wall, so the head can be pulled down and used as a handheld unit. If you have that kind of arrangement, check this water line isn’t kinked or twisted up in some way. Even a small kink could lead to a notable drop in water pressure.
It’s also possible for this line to have started to clog up over the years, so disconnecting it and cleaning it out could be helpful. Or, given the modest cost of a new line, you could just replace it with one that is less likely to clog or kink.
How to Increase Water Pressure in the Shower by Shopping
If you’ve never enjoyed good pressure in your current shower, the best option may be to simply go shopping for a new shower head. Some shower heads don’t provide much force, especially when paired with a water supply that is naturally low in pressure. By replacing the old shower head with a new one, you could wind up with a much-improved shower experience.
There are two points of good news with regard to this idea. First, shower heads tend to be rather affordable, so you shouldn’t need to make a big investment to try this approach. If you just head to your local home center or hardware store, you’ll find plenty of options to pick from. Also, it’s easy to install a shower head on your own with just basic tools, so don’t worry about needing to bring in an expert for this type of task. Of course, the team here at Walker is available if you need us, but most homeowners will make quick work of installing a new head in the shower.
When shopping for a new shower head, look for a model that is specifically marked as “high pressure”. This is an important distinction, as other models might not deliver what you are hoping for after they are installed. With a fresh high-pressure head that hasn’t had years of clogging, you can expect the best possible pressure for your situation.
As you can see, there are some quick and easy options available that should hopefully allow you to enjoy higher-pressure showers in the near future. Remember, for any plumbing help that you may require, the first step is always the same – reach out to Walker Air • Plumbing • Electric and schedule an appointment. Thanks for stopping by!
