When it comes to enjoying a refreshing and invigorating shower, water pressure plays a pivotal role in the overall experience.
In many apartment buildings, residents often find themselves dealing with lackluster water pressure that can make showers feel more like a drizzle than a rejuvenating cleanse.
Fortunately, there are ways to address this common issue and boost water pressure in your apartment’s shower.
Note:
Your shower might be experiencing low water pressure for a variety of reasons. Clogged water systems are common causes.
Your showerhead, for example, can become clogged. If this is the case, you can fix the problem independently without seeking professional assistance.
If the clog lies more deeply in your plumbing, an expert may be required to remove it.
Certain apartment complexes or rental homes install water restrictors to save tenants’ water. A water restrictor can also become clogged with debris and particles over time, further decreasing pressure.
Shower Upgrade: Simple Ways to Increase Water Pressure in Apartments
Showering with low water pressure can be a very bad way to start the day.
The difficulty of washing correctly, the cold water before it reaches your body, the shampoo you can never rinse from your hair. It can be so frustrating.
My shower has low water pressure. What can be done to increase it?
If you suffer from low water pressure in your shower, there are a variety of quick fixes you can try to fix. Some of these are:
1. Clean Your Shower Head
Cleaning the shower head first will prevent you from purchasing a shower pump or replacing piping.
In the home water system, fine sediment often enters via the main supply and can inhibit water flow at the shower head.
You may be able to remove your shower head with the use of a rubber band and a sandwich bag if you can’t remove it.
Attach the sandwich bag to the shower head using the rubber band and fill the bag with vinegar. Combining this with vinegar should help dissolve some sediment and remove limescale.
2. Install A Power Shower
You might want to consider installing a power shower. When a power shower is in use, both hot and cold water is used to fill it.
It is essential, therefore, that the hot water tank has plenty of hot water available. The pump in the wall box works much like a shower pump, boosting the water pressure through a pump put inside.
This option has an installation fee, so a shower pump may be cheaper and more effective.
3. Install An Electric Shower With A Cold Water Accumulator Tank
In addition to installing an independent electric shower, you may also want to consider installing a cold water accumulator tank. If the hot water supply is limited, this option is typically installed.
Using an accumulator tank, cold water completely fills the shower. An accumulator tank separate from your main water tank stores water specifically for using an electric shower.
A shower head fires high-pressure water out of the shower head when cold water meets the electric shower.
Installing this system will solve issues such as a drop in pressure in the kitchen when someone runs the tap.
4. Install A Shower Pump
To improve water pressure in the shower, you should purchase a high-quality shower pump. Adding a shower pump to your water system makes the water flow more efficient.
They work like this:
- The pump automatically turns on when the water turns on in the shower
- Before the water can reach your shower, it must pass through the shower pump before leaving the tank
- Before reaching the shower, the shower pump uses an impeller to boost the pressure of the water.
Installing a shower pump can increase your shower’s pressure quickly and effectively. For more information on shower pumps, please review our complete guide to buying a shower pump.
Note: Directly connecting a shower pump to mains water pressure is illegal. Mains pipework may be damaged by the increased pressure created by shower pumps. It is usually necessary to insert a break tank in most cases.
5. Installing A Pressurized Unvented Cylinder
Choosing a shower pump is a quick fix, but opting for a pressurized, unvented cylinder requires overhauling your plumbing system.
It involves removing the cold water tank and replacing it with a pressurized cylinder connected to the mains directly.
Performing this plumbing work will require a highly qualified plumber with extensive knowledge.
Most of the time, this method involves replacing the entire plumbing system. You may find this a better option if your house is older and you want to update and modernize the water system.
6. Fluctuations in Occupancy
A building may have vacant apartments throughout. Low occupancy means there is less demand for water, so the water pressure may be higher everywhere.
When all or almost all of the apartments are occupied, the water pressure may come down due to the high-water demand – especially during peak times like mornings (school, college, office goers) and early evenings.
Discuss how you can fix the problem with the other residents, whether bigger tanks, booster pumps, or anything else.
7. Municipal Supply Problem
There may be a problem with the municipal water supply pipes in your apartment, which could be causing low pressure in your apartment. Pressure pumps, also known as booster pumps, are the answer to this question.
Leaks, repairs, or any other issue could cause a problem with the municipal system’s supply system.
Of course, you should file a grievance with the government, but you can be sure it will take a long time to resolve the matter.
You should install booster pumps in your apartment to ensure adequate water pressure.
8. Replace The Shower Head
It may be possible to find and remove any unique “water restrictor” from your shower head if the instructions manual suggests that you do so.
Nevertheless, it’s unlikely that you have the shower head manual in your possession. There are two options available to you now. The options are:
- Get a plumber to locate and remove the water restrictor
- Get a specially designed low-pressure showerhead
In most cases, if you shop around first, you will be able to find a low-pressure shower head that is cheaper. This is worth remembering:
- The shower head still needs to be mounted
- If the problem is with the mains supply, the showerhead may not improve the water pressure
Do I Have Low Water Pressure In The Shower?
There is a simple three-step test that you can run to check your flow if you think you have low water pressure in the shower and you’re considering a shower pump or power shower to fix the problem.
You will need a measuring jug, a timer, and a calculator for this test. Please note that we recommend getting an assessment done for your home by a qualified plumber.
How To Test Water Pressure For Shower
Step 1: Set a 1-litre measuring jug under the shower
Step 2: Run the problem tap or shower at full volume
Step 3: Count the minutes it takes you to fill the jug
Step 4: Low water pressure is indicated by longer than 6 seconds required to fill the jug.
What Causes Low Water Pressure In The Shower?
A variety of factors may cause low water pressure at the shower head. There are several common reasons for this:
1. You Have A “Flow Restricting” Or “Water Saving” Shower Head
It is common for the shower head to go unnoticed as one reason for this. Showerheads with flow restrictions or water-saving features are frequently found in modern showers.
The National Energy Act implemented flow-restricting shower heads for the first time in the United States.
To reduce water bills and stop water waste, many manufacturers in the UK now install water restrictors following the American example.
2. Your Home Water System May Be Clogged
You may also have old iron piping in your home water system if you live in an old house.
Rusting of iron can cause it to break away and cause obstructions. Often, this problem is exacerbated if dirt, gravel, or sand enter your system through older entry pipes.
3. Your Home Water System May Have Undersized Supply Piping
There are several reasons why water pressure is low, but the most common is inadequate supply piping. There is a common phenomenon in older homes with original plumbing systems.
You can then restrict the amount of water coming into your home and to your shower. The process of replacing the roof is quite disruptive, so it is likely previous homeowners did not resolve the issue.
4. Your Mains Water System May Be Using Old Piping
There’s a good chance that low water pressure at your home is related to the mains water system if you live near a city or town center.
This is due to the fact that the mains water supply in city and town centers uses older pipes. As a result of the disruption caused to the city center, replacing the piping is also more difficult for the government.
5. You Have An Obstructed Shut Off Valve
Another reason you could be experiencing low water pressure could be an obstructed shutoff valve. In case you have just purchased a new home or had any construction work done recently, check the shutoff valve.
Generally, the shutoff valve is located under the kitchen sink. You should contact a plumber if you believe the water valve is broken.
Final Words
Perhaps there is no solution to your shower water pressure issues, even if the above methods don’t work for you.
Consequently, when you shower and what appliances you are running may influence your shower pressure.
The water pressure will be lowered When you shower while running a dishwasher or washing machine. You should do them separately, so make sure you do them at different times.
Showering is also most commonly done after waking up or before bed. Showering at these times can be avoided if your schedule allows it.
This way, you will have more water available to you because water pipes won’t be as strained.
If all else fails, pick up the phone or click our website to schedule an appointment with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Tyler today if you have water pressure issues in your shower.
It is possible that your shower is not the only plumbing issue you are experiencing. You can ensure your home’s water system is working to its full potential by calling a professional plumber.
