
Tired of trying to rinse off soap with a lackluster trickle? Shower head pressure problems can turn what’s supposed to be a moment of relaxation, or a quick shower while you’re in a rush, into a frustrating experience.
Low shower head water pressure can be caused by many things, though, which is part of what makes figuring out how to increase water pressure in the shower so difficult.
Is it the shower head itself or just an issue with the flow restrictor? Could it be a pipe problem? Maybe too many water fixtures are being used at once.
Whatever the case, we’re here to help you narrow it down with 10 tips on how to increase shower water pressure. These include simple steps like cleaning the shower head or looking for leaks to more sophisticated solutions, like upgrading your plumbing system altogether.
Oftentimes, though, it’s as simple as upgrading to a high-pressure shower head. If you’ve ruled out the other culprits and are ready to transform your shower into a spa-like experience, look no further than High Sierra Showerheads!
What Causes Low Shower Head Pressure?
First things first, let’s talk about the most common causes of low shower head pressure. If you know what to look for, you can narrow it down and fix the problem fast:
- Your Home’s Water Supply: Municipal water supply issues, outdated infrastructure, or high-demand periods can reduce pressure across your plumbing system – not just your shower.
- Plumbing Pipe Diameter and Material: Older homes often have narrower pipes or dated materials that restrict water movement.
- Pressure Drops from Shared Water Usage: If someone is doing laundry while another person showers, or two people shower at once, your water pressure may take a noticeable dip.
- Sediment and Mineral Buildup in Pipes: Calcium and magnesium are concentrated in hard water and can accumulate inside your plumbing, narrowing the pipes over time and limiting water flow before it reaches your shower head.
- Municipal Water Pressure Limits: Some areas regulate water pressure to conserve water and prevent stress on city plumbing systems. The only solution may be to move if your home is connected to a water district with strict flow limits.
- Clogged Shower Head Nozzles: Those same mineral deposits that build up in pipes may block the small openings in the shower head.
- Faulty or Aging Plumbing Fixtures: Worn-out shower valves, partially closed shutoff valves, or aging mixing valves inside the plumbing can cause unexpected pressure drops.
- Low Water Pressure from the Source: If your home pulls water from a well or an older municipal system, your baseline water pressure might simply be low to begin with. Houses at the end of a water supply line or those at higher elevations can experience weaker pressure due to gravity.
The good news is that no matter which of these issues you’re facing, you can do something to increase shower water pressure. But before we get into how to increase water pressure in the shower, let’s determine if you actually have a problem or not.
Start By Testing Shower Head Pressure to Determine if You Have a Problem
Maybe you’ve already tested shower head pressure and you know it’s low – go ahead and skip ahead to our 10 tips on how to increase water pressure in the shower below. Otherwise, there are a few ways you can measure water pressure in your shower.
Perform a Bucket Test to Measure Flow Rate
This is the simplest way to determine how much water your shower head delivers per minute (GPM), which is how water pressure is measured:
- Grab a 1-gallon bucket (or a container with measurement markings).
- Turn the shower on full blast and time how long it takes to fill the bucket.
- If it fills in 24 seconds or less, your flow rate is around 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM), which is standard.
- If it takes longer than 30 seconds, your water pressure is likely lower than normal.
It’s worth checking at different times of day as municipal water pressure can drop during peak usage hours, like early morning or evening when most people are showering, washing dishes, or running laundry.
Similarly, you should run the shower while someone flushes a toilet or turns on another faucet. If the water flow suddenly drops, your plumbing system might not be able to handle multiple fixtures at once. This suggests your issue could be related to pipe or supply size.
Use a Water Pressure Gauge for a Precise Reading

If you have a water pressure gauge handy this is a more accurate way to get a sense of whether you have an issue or not.
Attach the gauge to an outdoor hose bib or a sink faucet closest to your main water supply. Then, turn the water on fully and check the PSI (pounds per square inch).
Normal household water pressure falls between 40-60 PSI. Anything under 30 PSI is considered low and could explain weak shower performance.
But if you have decent water pressure and are still finding the shower experience lackluster, then it could mean it’s time to upgrade the showerhead itself. Let’s get into how to increase water pressure in the shower below.
How to Increase Water Pressure in Shower: 10 Ways to Increase Shower Water Pressure
There’s no need to keep putting up with a weak, unsatisfying shower experience. Shower water pressure problems can be fixed just like any other plumbing-related issue – in fact, they’re pretty easy to solve! Here are 10 things to try to increase shower head flow.
Clean Your Shower Head
Start with the easiest possible solution – cleaning mineral deposits and sediment from your shower head that could be restricting water flow. This could be all it takes to reinvigorate your shower experience.
Remove the shower head and soak it in white vinegar for a few hours (or overnight for heavy buildup). Then use a toothbrush or small pin to clear out stubborn deposits if necessary. Run water through the shower head before reattaching it.
Remove or Adjust the Flow Restrictor
If cleaning your shower head doesn’t solve the problem it’s time to take a look at the next most likely culprit: the flow restrictor in your shower head.
This small plastic disc limits water output to 2.5 gallons per minute or less. Sounds great from a water conservation perspective – but not from a shower enjoyment point of view.
Unscrew the shower head and look for a small plastic or rubber disc inside the fitting. Carefully remove it with a screwdriver or needle-nose pliers. Or, widen the opening slightly to let more water through while still saving some flow. Reattach the shower head and see if that fixes it.
Replace With a High-Pressure Shower Head
No amount of pipe flushing or cleaning will dramatically improve the flow of a low-quality showerhead. The only viable solution is to replace it altogether.
High-pressure shower heads maximize performance in homes with low water pressure. They use smaller nozzles and air infusion technology to create a strong, steady spray without increasing usage and spiking your water bill.
But are shower heads universal? Which of the many types of shower heads is right for you? Look no further than High Sierra. Our patented, award-winning designs provide a consistently strong flow, even in homes with hard water or low pressure.
Plus, our all-metal construction guarantees durability and long-lasting performance – from our handheld shower heads to our RV shower head lineup, you can expect the best with warranties to match.
With flow rates ranging from 1.25 GPM to 2.0 GPM, High Sierra shower heads provide high pressure without waste. So, put weak, frustrating showers in the past and upgrade to the experience you deserve.
Check and Fix Leaks in the Plumbing

Even small leaks in your home’s plumbing can divert water before it reaches your shower. This is going to take some digging around the house, but look for dripping pipes or joints under sinks, in basements, or near water heaters.
You can also try to identify any water stains on walls or ceilings. These can indicate hidden leaks as well. Look for unusual spikes in your water bill, too.
Fix Kinks in the Shower Hose
If you tried to replace shower head with handheld and now have a hose that gets kinked or bent, that’s likely the issue. A twisted or damaged hose can block water movement, creating inconsistent pressure. Straighten out the hose or replace it with a more flexible model.
Flush Out Sediment From Pipes
Remember, mineral buildup inside plumbing lines can narrow pipes and reduce water flow. This is one of the most common causes of shower head pressure problems in areas with really hard water.
So, turn off the water to the house. Then, open all faucets to flush standing water in the lines. After a few minutes, you can turn the water back on and let the faucets run at full blast. The high-pressure surge should push out any loosened debris.
Adjust the Water Pressure Regulator (If Applicable)
Some homes have a water pressure regulator installed near the main water line. If yours does, confirm that it’s not set too low. This would limit the amount of water reaching your shower.
Should you find it’s not optimized for maximum water flow, use a wrench to turn the screw clockwise to slightly increase pressure. Just be careful about overadjusting. A setting above 60 PSI can stress pipes and fixtures.
Install a Shower Pump or Booster System
If you find that the issue with water pressure is widespread across your home and not limited to your shower, it might be worth investing in a booster system to amplify water flow to all fixtures.
Or, you can look into a simple shower pump that is installed on individual lines. This is more affordable, easier to install, and perfect for homes that just have weak showers.
Upgrade Old Plumbing Pipes
Older homes might still have galvanized steel pipes for plumbing, notorious for getting gunked up with rust and minerals. Replacing these with PEX or copper can drastically improve water pressure and flow throughout the house.
While it’s a much more expensive or time-consuming fix (depending on if you hire a plumber or DIY), you can justify it knowing it’ll improve property value in the long run.
Coordinate Water Usage in the Household
Perhaps the simplest way to increase shower head flow is to be smart about how water is used in your home. This is a no-brainer if you find that shower pressure drops when someone runs the dishwasher or flushes a toilet.
Try to shower at off-peak times to avoid sharing pressure with other appliances. Don’t run two showers at once, be patient and have people wait their turn. Or if you plan on staying in the home for a while, look into upgrading to larger main pipes.
Final Words on How to Increase Shower Pressure
There you have it, how to increase water pressure in shower. You don’t have to put up with persistent shower pressure problems in your home. You deserve better, and there are plenty of ways to increase shower head flow as we’ve explored today.
Whether it’s a simple fix like cleaning the shower head or a more advanced solution like upgrading your plumbing, take the next step to restore proper flow rates in your shower now.
For the easiest fix, consider switching to a High Sierra high-pressure shower head engineered for maximum performance, efficiency, and durability. Discover the difference the right showerhead can make today!