The shower is supposed to be a pleasure and a great way to begin the day. It can be frustrating to have a weak stream coming out of the showerhead, making it very difficult to wash your hands. A lack of pressure can cause soap suds to take forever to dissolve, making washing your hands a tedious task. We'll be discussing the causes of low water pressure and what you can do to fix it.
What kind of shower do I have?
It's essential to determine what kind of shower you have to fix the low water pressure.
Mixer showers are often connected to the mains pressure system via a combi boiler. They provide hot water at the right time and a great water flow.
You may also have a mixer shower connected to a gravity-fed system. The water comes from a cold tank in your attic and a hot cylinder in the airing cupboard. While some gravity-fed systems include a pump to increase water pressure, others rely on the height of your tank.
An electric shower connected to the mains water supply will affect the pressure and flow of hot water. The power rating of electric showers is measured in kW. Therefore, the stronger your shower will be, the higher the kW.
What's water pressure?
Good water pressure is crucial when it comes to showering. It will give you that gentle force like the waterfalls and allow you to rinse off easily.
Water companies must provide minimum water pressure for all homes. However, the actual pressure you get from your shower depends on many factors, including your local topography and where your nearest water tower or reservoir is located.
Bars are used to measure water pressure. One bar is the force required to raise water by 10m.
What could be the problem?
The showerhead
The shower head could be clogged with years-old dirt, which can cause a blockage in water flow. Limescale, common in hard water areas, can cause problems with the shower's flow. You should also check for limescale or dirt in your shower hose to make sure there are no leaks or blockages.
Coldwater tank
Once you have established that your home is gravity-fed, you can rely on gravity to get water into your shower. The gravity of your shower might not work if the cold water tank in the loft is too low.
Shower height
It's possible your water pressure is low, and your shower head is not working correctly.
How can you increase the water pressure in your bathtub
Here are some options that can help you increase pressure.
Give your shower head a thorough clean. To remove any mineral deposits or debris, soak the shower head in vinegar and warm water.
A new shower head and hose may be sufficient to increase the pressure. Shower heads can be adjusted to control water flow from a small number of holes.
You can try raising the height of the cold water tank in your loft if you have a gravity-fed system.
A professional plumber can install a water pump and pressurized cylinder. Although you might notice an increase in your water bill, a pump can raise the pressure and improve your shower quality.
Consider installing a power shower. Although they come at a price, power showers can be a great way to increase the water pressure. A power shower can increase water pressure by as much as three times.
Get in touch with a professional
If your water pressure has not improved after trying the simple DIY suggestions above, you should call a professional to help you disassemble pipes and showers. Water damage can lead to serious financial losses. Don't try to make things worse if you don't have the proper knowledge about plumbing and mains water systems. An expert will be able to diagnose the problem and offer suggestions for improving it. Showers are an essential part of comfortable living. It's worth spending the extra time to ensure you have the best possible experience.