When you used to turn the shower on, the water would come out in a full spray. However, when you now turn the water on, it just doesn't have the pressure it used to have. It's not as satisfying to take a shower when the water pours out of the faucet, rather than spraying at the force you need to get clean. There are several possible causes.

Perform a Pressure Test

If you're not sure if you have low water pressure, you can perform a simple test. Measure how long it takes to fill up one liter of water. If you have to wait longer than six seconds, you likely have low water pressure.

Clean the Showerhead

Try turning on the bathtub faucet to see if you have water pressure there. If you do, the problem might be with a showerhead rather than with the water pressure overall. Take the showerhead apart and clean all of the parts. You'll also want to engage in regular shower maintenance so that you can prevent clogged showerheads before they start. Then, you will not have to use abrasive chemicals or cleaning tools to clean your showerhead.

Clean the Flow Restrictor

One of the most common causes of low shower water pressure is a flow restrictor. The flow restrictor is an orange disc that blocks the full flow of water. These are put in place because of government regulations. The restrictor limits the amount of water that is allowed to pass through your faucet to conserve water as a resource. You may need to clean it.

Check the Curbside Main

Inspect the curbside main to make sure it's not turned off partially. If the main is partially turned off, this can lead to lower water pressure. The curbside main is usually turned on all the way, but it might not have been turned on all the way if your home has recently undergone maintenance or construction. The valve has a round handle and it must be turned on all the way counterclockwise. 

If you're still stumped about why your shower has low water pressure, you may want to contact plumbers to take a look at your plumbing. Not only can the plumber get to the root of your problem, but he or she can also answer any questions you have. For example, you may run out of hot water faster if you have higher water pressure and you have a conventional hot water tank.

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