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After a long day at work or an intense session at the gym, there’s almost nothing better than a long, steaming hot shower. And if there’s merely a trickle of hot water coming from your showerhead, that’s almost the worst thing that can happen. There could be mineral build-up in your showerhead, and to remove it, use a small tool to brush any sediment from the showerhead holes or let the showerhead sit in a bowl or bag filled with vinegar overnight.
But if you still have low hot water pressure in your hot water unit at your home, it’s time to get to the bottom of it fast to fix low water pressure, or your hot water supply may be affected.
Although having low shower pressure may be irritating, the cause of low water pressure may be even worse and hidden in your hot water pipes. If it’s not the tempering valve or an incorrect installation, it’ll be something to do with your water lines. Maybe water leaks somewhere in the entire house. You’ll incur further damage and more costly repairs if it’s not dealt with quickly. We have created this guide to highlight the four most common reasons for low water pressure in your shower and how to manage it:
Here are some of the most common causes of low hot water pressure in your sink faucet and shower heads. While an issue with your hot water system may be considered as an emergency plumbing situation and may need the attention of a qualified plumber, there’s no need to panic with the low-flow showerheads. Read through these common causes and see which is more likely to have caused the low water pressure in your main water supply line.
More often than not, no water pressure in the shower, bathrooms and other parts of the house are caused by your pipes or drains being blocked. You may also have a broken or leaking pipe. If this is the case, you may notice a damp smell, an increase in your water bill or water on your carpets or walls. In this scenario, low shower water pressure is your least problem. Broken and leaking pipes are another story. And one meant to be solved by the plumbing experts or a professional plumber at a reasonable price.
But most likely, rust, calcium, debris, and sediment are just disturbing water flow. The problem could be simply in the showerhead or tap itself, especially if you’ve noticed that one outlet has good pressure while another is low.
You can also try cleaning your shower head to remove the build-up of mineral deposits and calcium.
Another common issue relating to low water pressure is sediment in your hot water tank. The sediment build-up in the hot water system tank can stop or halt the water heater’s ability. In other words, you may be getting little to no water pressure or hot water.
If this is the case, you can organise your local Gold Coast plumber to clean and provide your hot water system plumbing services.
If you know your area well and know that water pressure isn’t a factor, it could be that your hot water system needs repair or replacement. An easy way to understand the hot water system is to compare the hot water flow with the cold water supply.
But detecting the problem in your hot and cold water can be difficult.
If the hot water pressure is lower than the cold and occurs throughout the whole house, you could have a problem with a plumbing system.
If you have a single-handle faucet in your shower or tub, your mixing valve controlling the hot and cold water sent to the showerhead may be stuck or worn out. A worn-out mixing valve can throw off the temperature and pressure and give you shower woes. Or you’re probably dealing with a broken pressure regulator. The water pressure regulator’s job is to keep your home within a safe range of water pressure. Failure with a faulty water pressure regulator may negatively affect your water pressure.
Some hot water systems have handy filters on both the input and outputs. If they do their filtering job correctly, they will eventually need to be cleaned. They could become so dirty that they are clogged. If you are not sure, always call your local Gold Coast plumber for assistance.
Low hot water pressure in the shower, but plenty everywhere else? Is the problem in one room, fixture, or house? Successfully isolating the problem is the first step.
Does anything smell or look damp? This includes walls, floors, under sinks and cupboards. Also, look at your ceiling and under your house, if possible. If you think you’ve found a leak or suspect one, call a plumber immediately to prevent further damage.
Make sure the water meter valve, primary shut off valve, and all inline valves are completely open.
If you’ve narrowed down the leak to a particular fixture room or water heater, check for calcification inside the fixture or pipe.
If the problem is throughout the whole house and not just the hot water heater, it could be the hot water system. Check it over to see leaks or damage, and test the valves.
If all else fails, don’t forget that you can always call a highly recommended local plumber – especially as most hot water plumbing can be illegal or dangerous to DIY.
The Gold Coast Plumbing Company is just as committed to fixing your annoying low hot water pressure problem as you are. We offer hot water service and another plumbing service to all areas from Helensvale to Southport, Upper Coomera to Varsity Lakes and everywhere in between. If you’re looking to install a new water heater, you can still rely on us to advise you on the best system for your home. There are a lot of amazing choices in the market, like Rinnai, Rheem, and Thermann.
Struggling with low hot water pressure in the shower or bathroom, or do you experience low water pressure in the whole house? Don’t put up with it. Give us a call today! Low pressure in the shower may seem like an issue that can be put off, but there could be something else behind it entirely that is better not left undetected.
For other plumbing problems aside from your hot water system, liked blocked pipes, backflow prevention, and more, you can also reach out to our experienced plumber. We’ve got you covered in all your plumbing emergencies! Call us first thing today.
