Aug20

By Dave Bangar

How To Fix Low Water Pressure in Your Shower

Reading Time: 3 minutes

What’s Causes Low Water Pressure and How to Resolve It

For many, a shower is the ultimate relaxing oasis. But with low water pressure, your shower can become anything but enjoyable. 

Reduced water pressure in the shower can be caused by a number of things, from a clogged shower head to a faulty valve. But no matter what the cause is, the problem should always be addressed right away to prevent the issue from worsening. 

In this article, we will go over the most common reasons Kelowna homeowners typically experience low water pressure in their showers and how you can resolve the issue on your own or with help from a plumber. Keep reading to learn more.

The Most Common Causes of Low Water Pressure 

Often, low water pressure in your shower can be a really small and easy fix. However, it may also be a sign that there is a more serious underlying issue that needs to be looked at by a plumber. Below, we delve into the most common reasons for low showerhead water pressure and when you can fix it on your own and when you should give your plumber a call.

Clogged Shower Head

Over time, limescale can build up in your showerhead and restrict the flow of water, resulting in reduced water pressure. This is an incredibly common issue and is the #1 reason Kelowna homeowners often experience low water pressure in their showers.
Fortunately, resolving the issue is a really simple fix that doesn’t require the services of a plumber. 

To remove the limescale buildup, remove the showerhead and soak it in vinegar overnight. The following day, use a small cleaning tool (a toothbrush can work great!) to brush away any remaining sediment. Once everything has been removed, you can reinstall the showerhead and enjoy a relaxing shower with amazing water pressure. 

Worn Out Mixing Valve

If your shower has a single-handle faucet, the tap will have an internal part called a mixing valve which controls the temperature of the water that flows through the showerhead. Over time, this valve can break down and become worn out, which can affect both water pressure and temperature.
If you already tried cleaning out your shower head and the water pressure did not get any better, this may be the cause of the problem. Because of the complexity of this issue, we always recommend hiring a plumber to confirm the source of the issue and replace the mixing valve if needed. 

Faulty Water Pressure Regulator

As you may have guessed, a water pressure regulator is what control’s your home’s water pressure and keeps it within a safe range. Like any plumbing component, water pressure regulators can fail and lead to a significant drop in water pressure. If you have noticed a reduction in water pressure all throughout your house, not just the shower, this is likely the reason. 

Again, we do not recommend you attempt to replace this important component on your own. Always work with a licensed plumber.

A Leak in Your Pipes

If you have already checked for any of the above issues and your water pressure is still low, there may be a leak in your pipes. When a crack forms in your pipes, water starts to escape, which means less of it is able to reach your shower head. A cracked pipe is a serious issue that needs to be resolved by a plumber immediately to prevent serious water damage along with other issues. 

A Pipe Blockage

Pipes often become blocked when a buildup of food, hair, and other types of debris becomes trapped. When this happens, water has difficulty travelling to your shower and can lead to low or no water pressure. Minor clogs can sometimes be resolved by the homeowner; however, for large, difficult-to-remove clogs, we recommend calling a plumber. Plumbers have specialized tools for removing large clogs deep within your plumbing system that you likely will not be able to get on your own. 

If you are experiencing low water pressure in your Kelowna home and suspect that any of the above issues are causing it, get in touch with our team at My Plumber Kelowna immediately. 

At My Plumber Kelowna, we have a team of licensed, trained, and highly experienced plumbers who can assess your situation and work on resolving the issue so you can get your relaxing bathroom oasis back to normal.

Call us today at 250-601-0000 or fill out a form on our website, and we will be in touch ASAP.