Most people love a nice, powerful shower stream. When the water pressure in your shower falls, your first thought is probably "ugh!" Your second thought is probably "why is this happening?" As it turns out, there are a number of possible causes of a sudden drop in water pressure. Take a look.
Corroded and Leaking Pipes
If your pipes are on the older side and particularly if they are made from galvanized steel, a sudden loss of water pressure could be due to a leak. The pipe was probably corroding for quite a while, and recently that corrosion because bad enough to actually allow water to escape the pipe. Take a look at the walls and floor around your shower. If there are any moist areas or any moldy spots, these are sure signs you have a leak. Don't use your shower again until a plumber can come take a look.
Clogged Showerhead
Take a look at the showerhead. Does it have mineral deposits around the tiny holes that the water should emerge from? If so, this is probably why your shower pressure has decreased. If your shower head unscrews, you can just drop it into a cup of white vinegar and let it sit there for a day. The acidic vinegar will eat away the mineral deposits, allowing the water to flow freely again.
Stuck Valve
There should be a valve that controls the flow of water to your shower. It may be located behind an access panel in your shower, or it may be located in the basement or crawl space where the lines that lead to your shower tie into a larger pipe. If this valve gets turned to the closed position, it will restrict the flow of water into your shower. Someone might have bumped against it, or it may have been turned off to make some repairs and then never opened up again. Turn the valve until the handle is parallel with the pipe; this should get the water flowing again. If the valve is stuck, you can apply a little penetrating oil or WD-40, let it sit for a minute, and then turn the valve again.
Loss of water pressure in the shower is usually a sign that something is wrong. If it does not seem to be a stuck valve or a clogged shower head, call a plumber and have them look for a leak. Reach out to a local residential plumbing repair professional like the plumbers at Eddie B Plumbing.
Share5 June 2020
Hello, my name is Yvonne Michaels. Welcome to my website about plumbing components. Plumbing systems of all kinds use interconnected components to bring fresh water in and waste water out of the building. By clearly understanding the plumbing components used in your commercial or residential building, you can ensure your systems remain in great operational condition for years to come. On this site, I will help you learn all about plumbing components for every system imaginable. I hope to inspire you to learn about these components and understand how they operate to keep your plumbing system in great shape. Thanks for coming by.
