We know how frustrating it is when you find a trickle of water coming out the showerhead when trying to take a shower. Many plumbing problems can lead to a loss of shower pressure. As a result, water pressure problems in shower plumbing and home plumbing are sometimes challenging to diagnose and fix.
To find out if you can solve your shower problem or whether you need a more extensive repair, turn to an expert. Champion Plumbing, a trusted provider of best-in-class plumbing services in Noble, OK, can fix any shower problem. If you have low shower pressure in our Oklahoma service area, give us a call.
In the meantime, we’ll help you determine what may be causing water pressure problems in the shower.
What to Do If You Have Low Water Pressure
If your shower isn’t producing the water flow it has before, you can narrow down the problem by taking these steps.
If you need a quick way to measure your water pressure, find a container and turn the water on all the way. Measure the time it takes for the water to fill the container. The quicker the container fills up, the better your water pressure.
Have You Always Had Low Water Pressure?
If you’ve had low pressure since you moved into your home, your water supply may be at fault. If your shower is on an upper story, the water might have trouble overcoming gravity.
Are Other Appliances Running?
Many modern household appliances draw water, including:
- Washing machines
- Dishwashers
- Ice makers
- Coffee makers
Houses are also larger these days, often with multiple bathrooms. So, if you experience a sudden drop in water pressure, check whether people or appliances in other rooms are using water.
Compare Your Bathtub Water Pressure with Pressure from Your Showerhead
Run the water from your bathtub faucet. If you get a strong flow of water, the problem likely lies with the showerhead. Alternatively, the plumbing that connects to the showerhead could be at fault.
To correct low water pressure from your shower, unscrew your showerhead. Then, let the water run through the attached tube. While the water runs, check for any evidence of a blockage or sediment build-up.
Check the Water Pressure in Other Rooms of Your Home
If you suddenly notice low water pressure in your shower, turn off the shower. Then, check the bathroom sink, kitchen sink, and other water sources in your home. If the water pressure is low for all of them, the problem involves the main source of water for your home, not the shower plumbing.
Compare Your Hot and Cold Water Pressure
Check your separate controls for hot and cold water in your shower or bathroom sink. If you have good water pressure for cold water but not hot water, you may have a clog or a leak in the connection between your water heater and the bathroom. However, if both hot and cold water taps have pressure problems, the problem does not involve the water heater.
Check the Shut-Off Valve
If your problem with low water pressure affects every source of water in your house, find the shut-off valve for the main water supply for your house. A plumber uses a shut-off valve to disconnect the water supply before working on your pipes. If you’ve hired a plumber recently or done DIY work, you might need to open the valve all the way.
Once you’ve turned the valve, check the shower again to see if you’ve resolved the issue.
Causes of Low Water Pressure and Their Solutions
Leaks
A leak in your plumbing system may be preventing water from getting to your shower. If your house has low water pressure, look for signs of water damage. These signs include damp walls, water on floors, or musty odors.
Clogs
If the water pressure problem does not affect every faucet in your home, a clog is a likely source of water pressure problems. If the showerhead has become clogged, you should be able to fix the problem by unscrewing the showerhead and replacing it with a new one. If removing the showerhead does not fix the problem, call a plumber to inspect your pipes.
Hard Water
If your house has hard water, sediment build-up in the pipes and showerhead holes can cause clogs and hamper water flow. A whole house water filter or water softener could improve water pressure. These devices could also improve detergent performance and extend the lifespan of many home appliances.
Low-Flow Showerheads and other Water Conservation Measures
You might have a low-flow showerhead with a restrictor valve. Restrictor valves conserve water by limiting its flow through the showerhead. If the showerhead is the source of the pressure problem, removing the restrictor valve should solve the problem.
Problems with the Water Pressure Regulator
The water pressure regulator manages water flow from the main water line. If it is damaged or too tight, the water pressure for your home might be too low.
Problems with the Water Supply
If you’ve tried all the above measures and your water pressure is low throughout your house, you might have insufficient water flow in general. This problem is more difficult to address because you cannot control the water coming into your home. Therefore, you might have to install new equipment to increase the water pressure.
Installing New Shower Equipment
Plumbing experts such as Champion Plumbing can help you find quality replacement parts at attractive prices. Call us for a consultation before you buy or attempt to install any of these products. We can help you remedy your water pressure problems in shower plumbing.
Showerheads
Installing a new, modern showerhead that matches well with your water supply is a cost-effective solution to a clogged showerhead or low-flow showerhead. Look for a showerhead with larger openings that are more resistant to clogs.
Cold Water Accumulators
A cold water accumulator is a storage tank for additional water. It collects water from the water supply when you are not using water and uses it to supplement the incoming water when you need it. A cold water accumulator will not only increase your overall water usage but also increase water flow.
Powered Showers
An electric shower can increase hot water pressure by drawing cold water from the water supply. It will then heat the cold water when you are ready to take a shower.
Moreover, a shower pump increases water pressure by forcing water through the showerhead at a higher rate.
Know the risks of installing electrical devices and increasing the pressure of water going through your pipes. If you do not have training in plumbing installation, leave the job to professionals.
Professional plumbers will know if your plumbing and electrical system can handle the new equipment. They can also ensure that any changes comply with regulations and building codes.
Top-Quality Water Heater Servicing and Repair with Champion Plumbing
We are an experienced team of certified professional plumbers in Noble, OK and the surrounding areas. We can help you find the causes of your water pressure issues and fix them without breaking the bank. Learn about the signs that your water heater is going bad and how to keep your shower working smoothly.
Our dedicated plumbers look forward to hearing from you. Schedule a service call or a free consultation with Champion Plumbing at 405-342-3571. We’re here to fix your water pressure problems in shower or bathroom plumbing in the Noble, OK, area.
