The water pressure in my shower is terrible but every other faucet in the house is fine. What is going on?
Since the low pressure is isolated to just one fixture, the problem is local to that showerhead, not your main water supply. The most common cause is mineral buildup clogging the showerhead. Unscrew the showerhead (turn counterclockwise by hand or with pliers wrapped in a cloth to avoid scratching). Soak it in a bowl of white vinegar for 2-4 hours or overnight. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the nozzle holes, then rinse and reinstall. If that does not fix it, check the shower valve. Some shower valves have a flow restrictor built in that can become partially clogged. You may also have a partially closed shut-off valve for that shower line. Look for an access panel behind the shower wall (often in an adjacent closet) and make sure the valve is fully open. If none of these work, there may be a pinch or buildup in the pipe leading to the shower, which would require a plumber to diagnose.
Have a similar problem? Ask Ryan directly for $3.
Ryan Giles, Red Seal Certified Plumber with 8 years of experience, will provide personalized advice for your specific situation.
Average response time: under 2 minutes · Money-back guarantee
Ask Ryan now — $3 →
