Why is My Shower Pressure Low?

Often happening without prior warning, and sometimes so slowly that detection is difficult, your shower pressure will drop. Low shower water pressure is an inconvenience and a potential sign of other problems. There are some common causes for low shower water pressure, and it helps to understand them in case you encounter this issue. Of course, the experts at Roto-Rooter are just a phone call away if you continue to encounter problems.

It's important to accurately diagnose your issue of low water pressure in the shower, so you can attempt to fix it correctly and so you can describe the problem to a professional. The issue may be the water pressure reducing valve or the main shut-off valve in your home. The water pressure reducing valve needs to be serviced by a plumber to open it up, but you can adjust the main shut-off valve by hand - just be careful to not apply too much force. Another potential culprit is a leak in your pipes. Check the areas where your pipes are exposed, like the garage or basement, for a leak, and examine the area where your pipes meet the municipal water main.

Another potential source of trouble is the showerhead itself. It can become clogged with sediment, debris and other minerals over time. Fixing this problem is relatively easy. Check out our easy step-by-step DIY tutorial video to get your showerhead working like new. All you need is 1 cup of vinegar, a plastic bag, one zip-tie, scissors, and one old toothbrush. Fill the plastic bag vinegar and secure it around your showerhead to leave it on overnight. When you remove it the next day take an old toothbrush to clean off left over debris and run your water for a few minutes. If that doesn't fix the problem, especially if there are no other water pressure issues in your home, it's time to give Roto-Rooter a call.