How To Increase Shower Water Pressure
Low shower pressure is an issue we wouldn’t wish on anyone. Not only is it unsatisfying—it makes it difficult to get soap and product off of skin and hair.
How do you increase water pressure in the shower? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Solutions can range from simply cleaning your showerhead to calling a plumber to fix a leaky pipe. Here are some common causes of low shower pressure and how to improve it.
How do you know if you have low pressure?
If your showers are leaving you unimpressed, that might be enough for you to start looking for ways to boost your pressure. Still, it may be a good idea to test it first, especially if you’re considering a more expensive fix.
The easiest way to see if your water pressure is low is to check your shower’s flow rate. Flow rate measures the volume of water released from your shower over a period of time, and it’s measured in gallons per minute (gpm). In other words, if your flow rate is low, your shower pressure is, too.
Check out this article for a simple, DIY method of testing your shower’s flow rate. To do it, all you’ll need is a 5-gallon bucket and a timer. (For context, the federal limit for showerhead flow rates is 2.5 gpm.)
You can also get a water pressure gauge if you suspect that the problem is being caused by something other than your showerhead. This will measure the water pressure of your home in pounds per square inch (psi). The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that the psi for your home fall between 45–60 (though the International Residential Code limit is 80 psi).
Clean your showerhead.
Often, if your showerhead isn’t performing at its best, clogged spray nozzles are the culprit. Soap buildup and limescale from your pipes can accumulate inside your showerhead and restrict the flow of water. All that gunk can make it easier for bacteria and mold to grow, too.
Home Depot recommends white vinegar as a cheap, easy solution to cleaning your showerhead—and you don’t even have to take it off the wall to do it. Simply submerge your showerhead in a plastic bag filled with one cup of white vinegar, and tie the bag onto the shower arm with adhesive tape or a zip tie. Soak for eight hours, remove the bag, and run the shower on hot to finish clearing it out.
Replace your showerhead.
Cleaning your showerhead can do wonders, but it won’t fix any mechanical issues. After cleaning, if you find that your shower pressure is still low, it may be time to buy a new one.
As we mentioned earlier, 2.5 gpm is the highest flow rate a showerhead can have in the United States. However, there are high-performance showerheads on the market with flow rates as low as 1.5 gpm that still provide a high-pressure experience.
How many gallons of water does a shower use? The average person can use up to 17 gallons of water on average in an 8-minute shower. Getting a high-performance showerhead that saves water is good for the planet, reducing the impact on precious freshwater sources that humans, wildlife, and plants need to thrive.
Call a plumber.
Unless you are extremely handy, the DIY portion of this article has come to an end. If you’re still having issues with your shower pressure after following the steps above, it may be time to call a plumber. Here are some of the fixes that they might suggest:
- Fix any leaks: Leaks can affect your shower pressure, even if the leak is occurring elsewhere in the house or yard.
- Replace old pipes: Corroded piping can make it difficult for water to flow through your pipes, which can lower your shower pressure.
- Get a water pressure booster: These devices can raise the pressure of the water coming into your home, but they are often expensive, complicated to install, and aren’t guaranteed to fix the issue.