How to Fix Low Water Pressure in the Shower

How to Fix Low Water Pressure in the Shower

We all look forward to taking a bath at the end of an exhausting day. In fact, it’s even an act of self-care for some.

There’s something therapeutic about taking a long and warm bath when you’re stressed with life. So it can be truly frustrating to find out that your shower’s water pressure is too low.

This will then cause an unenthusiastic dribble of water. You can either choose to DIY your low water pressure or call a professional to repair this.

With this being said, here are concrete ways you can fix your low water pressure in your shower.

Ways to Test Your Water Pressure

The primary sign there are problems in your water pressure is your shower running slowly. To ensure that this doesn’t apply to your entire household, you can do the following test:

  1. Place a measuring cup or jug under the shower you’re testing.
  2. Ready your stopwatch and turn the tap on full as you start the stopwatch.
  3. You should time six seconds and turn off your tap after you press stop.
  4. You need to calculate the water pressure by multiplying the amount of water in the jug by 10. This will result in a flow rate measured in Liters per minute. The average should be between 10 to 15L per minute.
  5. If the pressure in your shower and all taps are weak, you have a plumbing problem. You may have a leak or your stopcock may not be fully open, and it’s best to call a plumber if this is the case.

If the hot water pressure is low but the cold water is fine, you have sediment and limescale build-up in your pipes and faucet. This is often caused by a partially closed or restricted shutoff valve.

If your hot water has low pressure only in your shower, the problem is in your shower. 

Causes of Low Water Pressure in the Shower (and How to Fix Each One)

Several factors cause lower water pressure in your shower, which may or may not be under your control. For example, it can be affected by the distance between your home and your water reservoir.

Other times, factors of water pressure problems in your shower are caused by the following:

1. Limescale and Sediment Build-up

You can fix this by simply cleaning or replacing your showerhead on your next payday. To clean it, you must first unscrew the showerhead from the hose and place it in a bowl of vinegar for eight hours.

Afterward, manually remove any debris left. You can also use a toothpick to push the limescale out of small holes.

The factor that encourages vinegar to work is acetic acid. This gives vinegar its sour taste, and it’s an ingredient found in several household cleaners.

2. Restrictive Valves on Your Showerhead

A low-flow showerhead may be on your shower, or you may have a valve that restricts water flow.

While these can help you save water, they can be the cause problems with your water pressure and limit it too much. So the solution is either to adjust the restrictor or replace your showerhead altogether.

3. A Clogged Water System

If your home or furnished apartment is already old, iron pipes must have rusted and caused an obstruction. Old pipes are also vulnerable to dirt, gravel, or sand entering.

If this is the cause for issues with your water pressure, it’s best to leave this in a professional’s hands.

4. Ensure your stopcock is fully open

If your hot water is supplied by a combi boiler, your water pressure is controlled by a stopcock. Your stopcock is often under your kitchen sink, under the stairs, or downstairs toilet.

Your stopcock is responsible for reducing water pressure and water flow. So if your stopcock is only half-open, the same goes for your water flow and pressure.


Remember that low water pressure doesn’t just affect showering but also washing the dishes, doing laundry, and more.

So if you can’t properly wash dishes, this will affect the overall quality of your home. It can trigger mold and pests.

Low water pressure may seem like a minor issue, but it’s more significant than you think.

If you’re looking for more home maintenance tips, feel free to visit this page.

More resources on home maintenance:

Appliance Repair Services in Dubai

Where to Get the Best Air Conditioner Repair in Dubai

Best Air Duct Cleaning Service in Dubai