How to Increase Water Pressure in Shower in Apartment?

Low water pressure is something that we’ve all dealt with.

It tends to happen more to people that live in high-rise apartments.

It especially tends to happen to people that live on the higher floors. However, there are easy fixes to this in most cases.

How to Increase Water Pressure in Your Shower

There are plenty of ways to increase water pressure if you live in an apartment building.

Perform Necessary Checks

These are some necessary checks that you should perform before resorting to replacing or cleaning shower-heads.

Check for Flow Restrictors

The US government has implemented Acts to ensure water conservation in recent years.

That’s why they’ve placed water flow restrictors in apartment buildings. Check if you have one of those in your shower. You can remove it to ensure a higher flow.

Check for Kinks

Check for kinks in the hose or the waterline.

If the shower has a flexible line, then make sure there aren’t any kinks preventing the flow of water.

Check for Leaks

If your piping is leaking from several places, you should have it restored.

This can occur inside walls as well, which can result in damage caused to the apartment.

Open Water Heater Shut-Off Valve

This is reserved for times when you have lower hot water pressure. The problem could result from your water heater.

First, check if the shut-off valve is open. If not; then open it.

Flush Water Heater

If your water tank has been blocked by sediment, the pipes could also have become blocked by debris.

Drain the water heater and flush out the lines. This should improve the water pressure in your shower.

Turn Off Other Appliances

If you are running other appliances like a washing machine while showering, that may reduce water pressure.

Clean the Shower Head

Before you buy a replacement shower head or try to check the plumbing, you should clean out your shower head.

Fine sediments like sand and even some pebbles can accumulate inside the shower-head at times. This can block the flow of water and reduce water pressure.

If you can’t remove your shower head, then you’ll need a rubber band and a sandwich bag.

If you fill this bag with vinegar and use the rubber band to attach it to the shower-head, it’ll remove the lime-scale. It’ll also break down a little bit of the sediment.

Replace the Shower Head

If cleaning the shower-head also doesn’t do it, then you’ve got to replace it.

Try opting for a high-flow shower head instead of a regular one. You can either hire a plumber to do this or look up some tutorials online.

You may have an old manual to replace shower heads with as well. You could use that. However, if you have a mains supply issue, then this remedy may not work.

Install a Shower Pump

If you want to fully fix the pressure in the shower, then you’ll need to purchase a high-quality pressure pump.

This will fix the mains issue as well by generating localized pressure for your shower.

It’ll be activated when you take a shower and transfer the water from the mains to your shower head. This way, it’ll gain pressure before it goes inside the shower-head.

Pressurized Unvented Cylinder

The shower pump is a quick fix. However, if you want a permanent fix that doesn’t require replacing equipment before a decade; there’s another option.

It’s called a pressurized unvented cylinder. It involves a total overhaul of your system. It takes its feed directly from the mains as well.

This is pretty complex plumbing and will require external help. It will in fact require some expertise from a highly qualified plumber.

It may actually require replacing the entire plumbing system. You may need to ask your landlord for permission.

Electric Shower & Cold Water Accumulator Tank

This other option for a cold water accumulator tank and an electric shower is also advanced. It’s reserved for when hot water is in short supply.

The shower is fed with cold water from the tank. This tank is separate from the main water tank which stores water for your entire building.

It then heats the water and fires high-pressure water out of the shower-head.

Install a Power Shower

Power showers use both hot and cold water to feed the shower.

For this reason, you need plenty of hot water in your hot water tank for this. The cost of this option makes it a last resort.

What Causes Low Water Pressure in the Shower?

Low water pressure in the shower can occur for a lot of reasons. These include:

  • Old piping that has rusted or accumulated a lot of dirt and gravel. This can happen if you live in an old building or in an old neighborhood. If you live close to a city or town center, then this is more likely to happen. Local governments will find it hard to replace that piping. It would cause too much disruption.
  • The home water system may have an undersized supply piping. This is one of the most common reasons for low water pressure. Older houses have this problem most of the time. This restricts the amount of water that comes into your home and the shower.
  • Your home water system may be clogged.
  • Your shower-head may be flow-restricting or water-saving in nature. These are pretty common in apartments and were introduced by the National Energy Act in the US. A lot of manufacturers in the UK have followed this example as well.
  • Your shut-off valve may be obstructed. This is also a pretty common reason for low water pressure. If you’ve bought a new home recently or had building work done, then check if your shut-off valve is fully open. It’s usually located under the kitchen sink. If it’s broken, contact the plumber at once.

How to Test for Low Water Pressure in the Shower?

There are four steps to check if your water pressure is low.

  1. Place a 1-liter measuring jug under your shower
  2. Turn the tap or shower that you’re experiencing problems with on full
  3. Time how long it takes to fill the jug
  4. If it takes more than six seconds, your water pressure is low

Alternative to Shower – Take a Bath Instead

If you have low water pressure in your home, the better alternative to a shower can be a bath. It takes longer, yes, but it can be much healthier.

In fact, there are several health benefits of a bath that outstrip all the benefits of a shower. These include the following.

Baths Delay Aging

Dermatologists say that taking baths can actually reduce aging and reduce adult acne.

This is because they can reduce cortisol levels in the body. That’s a stress hormone that can increase acne and induce premature aging.

In order to get the full benefit of delayed again, you have to make sure you fully moisturize afterward.

You shouldn’t just towel dry and get everything over with. Your skin shouldn’t get dehydrated after you’ve had a bath.

Sore-Muscle and Stress Relief

Heat is a great solution when it comes to relieving muscle stress. You can do this by taking a hot bath. If you step into warm water, you can relieve a lot of muscle stress and even some pain.

If you add some Epsom salt, it can help to relieve aches and pains as well.

Many adults simply take baths for the simple reason that their great stress relievers. Baths allow you to stop focusing on anything else and just relax.

Warm baths are great for this purpose. They can increase your body temperature slightly and improve circulation.

This calms your nervous system and detoxifies your body. It can even release endorphins which lighten your mood.

This can relieve the stress that you have built up in your system. You can make your bath more effective by using essential oils and fragrant candles.

You Get Just as Clean

There is no evidence to suggest that either taking a bath or taking a shower is cleaner than the other. Showers are better than baths only when you’re sweaty from being outdoors or exercising.

However, other than that, when you’re taking a bath in the morning, it’ll be just as clean.

If you’re habitual of taking a quick shower before heading off to work, then this probably isn’t for you. Also, the steam from baths can actually open pores and release the dirt.

Baths Lower Blood Sugar Levels

If your doctor has ever told you to monitor your blood sugar levels, then a bath may be the best option for you.

Certain research has pointed to hot baths which can actually reduce blood sugar levels. This is particularly beneficial for diabetics.

However, don’t think of this as a replacement for healthy eating. It’s just a supplement to already healthy practices.

They’re Great for Your Skin

Baths are great for your skin when combined with essential oils and fragrances.

You naturally need them for your body to stay healthy. However, they are stripped away when you take a shower. If you add them to your bath, they will make your skin much healthier.

You can even add oatmeal and honey to your routine so that your skin stays healthier.

Don’t forget to add a slather to the lotion that you are using. This will lock in the moisture when you get out of the tub.

Using any of these techniques will give you a better shower or bath experience.

Other articles you may also like: