How to Create More Water Pressure for My Shower

Low shower pressure may be caused by a faulty shower head or a pipe leak.

Shower water pressure is perhaps one of the most important aspects of a shower, because it determines your overall bathing experience. If you have a shower head with too much water pressure, you may feel as if you're being beaten by a high-pressure hose, while too little water pressure makes removing shampoo and body wash or soap difficult. If you have low water pressure in your shower you can increase the pressure to a comfortable level by following several steps.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Toothpick
• Low-flow shower head

Instructions

1. Remove the shower head by unscrewing the head from the wall with a screwdriver. Carefully pull the shower head down and remove the gasket that holds the shower screen in place. Use a toothpick to gently remove the gasket and tilt the shower head upside down so the screen falls out. Take note, not all shower heads have a screen to filter the water.

2. Rinse the shower head screen under your water faucet to remove sediment or debris. If you notice that the screen is dirty, this may be what is affecting your shower water pressure.

3. Replace the screen and gasket back into the shower head and rescrew the shower head to the wall. Turn on the water to see if this increases the water pressure. If not, continue on to the next step.

4. Remove the water flow restrictor within the shower head. Flow restrictors are required for all shower heads, per the National Energy Act. They work to reduce the amount of water released by the shower head. If you have low-pressure water throughout your home, removing the water flow restrictor will increase shower water pressure.

5. Unscrew the shower head from the wall and remove the gasket and screen as you did earlier. Using a slotted screwdriver, remove the flow restrictor, which is located near the water inlet of the shower head. The restrictor is typically hidden behind a star-shaped metal piece and is pink, green or white. After removing the flow restrictor, replace the screen and gasket and screw the shower head back into the wall. Turn on the water and determine if this increased your water pressure. If not, continue on to the next step.

6. Install a low-flow nonaerating shower head, also known as a single-function shower head, in your shower. These shower heads are designed to not only reduce water consumption, but also to increase water pressure. Once the water is turned on, it is directed into a small opening, which pulsates to create a stronger flow of water.

7. Check your home for water leaks if altering your shower heads does not increase water pressure. Turn off all water within your home and check your water meter. Write down the current numbers on the meter and wait three to five hours. Check the meter again. If the numbers have climbed, you may have a leak. Water leaks can dramatically decrease water pressure. If this is the case, contact a plumber to fix the leak.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to shut off washing machines, ice makers or other appliances that utilize water when checking your water meter.

• Understand that by removing the flow restrictor you will use more water per shower, thus increasing your water bill.

References

• Showerstore.com: All About Shower Head Water Pressure
• Fine Homebuilding: Improving Water Pressure; Rex Cauldwell
• Eartheasy: Low-Flow Aerators/Showerheads