Symptoms
- Water trickles instead of sprays
- Pressure dropped gradually over weeks
- Other fixtures in the house are fine
- Spray pattern is uneven or angled oddly
Likely causes
- CommonMineral deposits clogging the shower headHard water builds up in the tiny holes over months, especially with a fixed low-flow head.
- CommonFlow restrictor still installedWater-saving heads have a small plastic disc that can be removed for more flow.
- PossiblePartially closed shutoff valveA valve under the sink or in the basement feeding that line may not be fully open.
- PossibleClogged inlet screen or mixing valveDebris can lodge inside the valve body itself, not just the head.
- Less commonCorroded galvanized supply pipeIn older homes, rust buildup inside old steel pipe narrows the whole line over years.
What to do
- Check if other fixtures (sink, other showers) also have low pressure; if only this shower is affected, the problem is local to the head or valve.
- Unscrew the shower head by hand or with a wrench wrapped in a cloth to avoid scratches.
- Soak the head in a bag of white vinegar for 1–2 hours to dissolve mineral buildup, then scrub the holes with an old toothbrush.
- Look inside the head for a small plastic flow restrictor disc; if present, it can usually be pried out with a flathead screwdriver.
- Turn on the water without the head attached to check flow straight from the pipe; strong flow means the head was the problem.
- Reattach the head with fresh plumber's tape on the threads and test.
- If flow from the bare pipe is also weak, locate and fully open the shutoff valve for that line.
Tools and parts
- Adjustable wrench
- Old toothbrush
- White vinegar
- Plumber's tape
Replacement shower headSearch: “high-pressure shower head”
When to call a pro
Call a plumber if pressure is low throughout the whole house or you suspect old corroded pipe, since that requires repiping.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.