Low Water Pressure in the Shower - Learn how to increase water pressure

Low water pressure can be caused by many things. If only one fixture has low pressure, it’s likely that you can solve the issue by just focusing on that fixture. If you’re getting low water pressure throughout your home, you might solve your issue by adjusting your Pressure-Reducing Valve. In my situation, I was having issues with low water pressure in our shower while every other shower or faucet in our home had good water pressure. For the purpose of this video, I wanted to demonstrate how to check the water pressure in your home with a water pressure test gauge. If you’re getting good water pressure throughout your home, you might not have to test your water pressure. Sometimes replacing an old shower head or removing the restrictor valve in your shower head can solve the issue. When that didn’t solve ours, I had to dig deeper. If you have a single lever setup in your shower, you have to remove the handle and cover to get to the valve and cartridge. A valve that is not correctly adjusted or a clogged cartridge can be the culprit of low water pressure in your shower. Luckily for me, I was able to solve the low water pressure issue by adjusting the dial or set screws on the valve. If that doesn’t solve your issue, you might have a clogged cartridge or clogged pipes leading into your shower.

Tools to complete task:
-Flathead screwdriver
-Phillips screwdriver
-2.5mm or 3/32 hex key
-Water pressure test gauge

Water Pressure Gauge (Updated Link)

Ideally, water pressure should be between 45 and 60 PSI in most residential plumbing systems. If the pressure rises too high, particularly above 80 psi, plumbing and appliances (primarily water heaters) could be damaged or leak excessively. I checked with my local water authority and my water pressure should be between 50 and 75 PSI. Make sure to contact your water authority/district.

:::Disclaimer:::

If you do not know what you are doing, please do not attempt to increase your water pressure. Increasing the water pressure too high could possibly cause damage to the plumbing system. This video is for entertainment purposes only. Any injuries, damages, or losses that may result from improper use of equipment, tools, installation or from the information in this video is the sole responsibility of the viewer and is to be used at the discretion of the end user/viewer and not myself (Joel Reyes). If you rely on the information portrayed in this video, you assume the responsibility for the results. If you are uncertain about any part of this video, seek a professional.

[michaelbethell]

I've lived in tis rental house for 7 yrs with low shower pressure. I have even changed shower heads same results until I watches this video, you my friend have solved my 7yr old problem. Thank you a million times over great job.

[rolandorivas]

Back many years ago when I used to rent. My landlord came to my apartment to place those water pressure restrictors to all my faucets and shower. After landlord was gone the water hardly had pressure coming out; the following week I went to the rental office complaining they said "NO worries everything is fine is normal". So, I had no idea what was the landlord had done to my faucets and shower head hose. Thank you for your wonderful advice and video. Blessings.

[mmagistrado]

You are a freaking life saver! I was worried and thought I'd have to call a plumber, but now I can attempt to fix it myself! I'll let you know if it works when I get home tonight! Im always so thankful for people who post videos showing how to fix things in a home because I never had anyone teach me and I'm a new first time home owner. Thank you!

[tawanagriffin]

thank you kind Sir. as a single woman I am tired of getting screwed by contractors because I am not familiar with this kind of stuff!

[Kcrunchymunch]

I was just in Georgia visiting my daughter at her new home, she kept complaining that her shower had too low pressure. My wife went out and bought a new shower head it made little difference. I didn't know how to fix it. Next visit, I'm gonna be a super hero! Thanks.

[derekjaydjchinatown]

Thanks for the tip. I really appreciate it. Just randomly came accross this video when I was looking for a high pressure shower.

[RBaz]

Thank you!!!! You just solved our issue. Seriously great advice and easy to follow step by step troubleshooting. Our household pressure was fine but just our shower had suddenly decreased pressure. As soon as I took apart the shower head I could see the restrictor had shifted somehow blocking some of the holes. Adjusted it and removed a little rubber blocking piece that wasn’t needed and now our pressure is perfect again. Thank you for saving us from having to pay for a new shower head or call a plumber!

[kristenpaige]

Bless you! I've been dealing with terrible water pressure for months and just fixed it myself in a few minutes thanks to your help.

[Perfectdancing]

Holy shot this actually worked?! Thanks a million! I’ve been using my kids shower for a year & today decided to see if anyone else had this issue in YouTube 🙏🏾

[danineward]

Thank you! I just fixed our shower!!! I only needed to rinse out the shower head. The city had recently done some work and I believe when they turned the water back on, rusty water came and blocked up the shower head. I could see this brown rusty stuff. I simply rinsed it out, put the shower head back on and voila! Thank you again and again!

[jackie_O]

Thank you so much for your video. I just had one of the bathrooms in my house remodeled and I couldn't figure out why the water pressure coming out of the shower head was so weak now. It was the flow restrictor in the new showerhead just like you said. I've always taken really quick showers but that low pressure was slowing me down. I have very thick hair, and I couldn't get the shampoo and conditioner out of it lol. It was driving me nuts and I'm not sure that I was actually saving any water anyway considering it made my showers longer 🙃

[CUONGNGUYEN-wbfm]

In my case, the restrictor was on the shower head (not on the hose). Take out that restrictor on the shower is harder than on the hose. But after removing the restrictor from the shower head, the water is blasting now. I already ordered the new shower from the store before watching this video but I will cancel it. Thanks so much for your instruction. The video is very, very helpful.

[HotDawg]

First, good video. My shower head which is somewhat similar to yours was also running very slow. I did the vinegar overnight soak with no improvement. I know my pressure through the house was good as there were no other issues. What I decide to do before I was to work on the water valve was to work back toward the wall. I removed the line and inspected. No issues there. Then I removed the assembly from the neck protruding from the wall and wouldn't you know it, there was the culprit, a clogged filter. But your video is good, the process of elimination works.

[SweetpeaandLilly]

Thank you much. I did not realize the shower head I installed would make life so miserable but paused this video long enough to trash the water restrictor.

[marisolroman]

I just saw your video i ran to my bathroom i had recently installed a new shower head and i had really low water pressure and i see your video i unscrewed the hose ..and voila tiny restrictor i took it out and got my water pressure back so A BIG THANK YOU for this video

[sssss-lrwe]

Thank you so ..so much. I was planning to buy a new showerhead which costs 80 bucks then I found this video, just took out the plastic valve in the showerhead and it totally worked. Thanks again Joel.

[tylerburns]

Thank you!! I’ve already went through 2 shower heads in the past thinking they were just old and that was the issue

[sandraholden]

Thankyou so much. This really worked for our shower head & saved me the expense of a Plumber. 😁🙌

[michaelpohlman]

Noticed your bracelet. Thanks for your service and your video.

[creepycrawlers]

WOW I thot I was going to have to call a plumber I had such low water pressure but the turning those screws was the simple no money involved trick!THANKS!