Are you experiencing low water pressure in your shower, making it difficult to enjoy a relaxing morning wash? If so, don’t worry—you can take action and quickly boost the pressure.
In this article, we’ll cover what causes low water pressure and go through various methods you can use to fix the issue on your own. Whether you have no idea where to start or some experience with plumbing fixes, these tips will provide the guidance needed for getting back up and running sooner rather than later. So let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Consult A Professional Plumber
The first step should always be to consult a professional like the London plumber Staunch & Flow, who will be able to assess the situation and provide advice on how best to resolve the issue. They may suggest replacing worn parts or installing additional plumbing. Either way it is important to make sure the job is done correctly to avoid any further problems down the line.
Clean The Aerator
The aerator is where all of the water that flows from your shower head comes from. If it gets clogged up with debris then this can lead to low pressure levels! Unscrewing & cleaning out any blockages should restore normal flow again, so do this before anything else as it’s often an easy fix.
Check For Kinks Or Blockages In Pipes
Pipes often become kinked or bent over time due to general wear & tear. This can cause reduced water flow too! Have a plumber to inspect them thoroughly and straighten any kinks you find. If this doesn’t work then try checking for blockages which might be preventing hot water from flowing through properly.
Replace Worn O-Rings
O-rings are used inside pipes/valves for sealant purposes. These can become worn over time which could also reduce water pressure in showers Ensure these are replaced regularly in order for optimal performance! Again, an experienced engineer will be able to help with this so don’t hesitate to contact one if required.
Change Shower Head Settings
Most modern shower heads have adjustable settings which can be tweaked in order to increase or decrease water flow. Experiment by turning off the valve completely then slowly turning back up until desired levels are achieved. Note that maximum pressure shouldn’t exceed recommended safety limits though!
Install An Adjustable Pressure Valve
Adjustable pressure valves provide more control over how much hot/cold water is flowing through your system. They also act as a regulator when installed correctly, allowing you to adjust levels depending on what’s needed at any given time. These are especially handy for people who like experimenting with different pressures & temperatures!
Test Pressure Relief Valves
Pressure relief valves play an important role in controlling pressures inside pipework. Make sure these are working correctly and replace/repair if necessary as weak/faulty valves could reduce hot water supply significantly due to constant fluctuations.
Check Heating Elements
Heating elements play an important role in keeping water at its desired temperature. If these become worn out or damaged then it may be necessary to replace/repair them in order for optimal performance.
Replace Water Pumps
Water pumps are responsible for generating hot water within the system. If these become faulty then you’ll likely experience reduced flow rates; contact a professional to replace/repair where needed!
Check The Boiler Pressure
If you’re having problems with your shower pressure, then it could be due to issues with the boiler. Bear in mind that operating pressures should generally be between 1 and 1.5 bars; contact a professional if these readings are not within this range as they’ll be able to diagnose & fix the problem quickly!
Check Your Water Metre
Sometimes low pressures can occur if the water metre is running low or has been switched off. Check this out before anything else, as you may find that simply turning it back on is all that’s required to restore normal pressure levels again!
Upgrade To A High-Pressure Showerhead
If all else fails, then consider switching out your old shower head for a more powerful one. High-pressure varieties are designed to provide maximum coverage no matter the existing pipe setup (within reason). So, this could be an ideal solution if traditional methods haven’t worked out so far!
Install An Air Chamber
Finally, installing an air chamber into the pipework can help reduce fluctuations in water pressure. These chambers generally come fitted with adjustable valves which allow you to fine-tune performance as needed.
