Why Your Shower Head Keeps Losing Pressure

15th January, 2026

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There’s nothing worse in the morning than an underpowered shower, where it feels like barely a dribble of water is coming out of the shower head.

 

It’s often caused by low water pressure, and this is a common issue. The good news though is that in many cases, it can be easy to fix.

 

Here, we’ll take a look at a few of the most likely causes of this problem, along with how to increase shower head pressure with a few simple steps. 

Why Does Your Shower Head Lose Pressure?

There are a few potential causes of low shower pressure, from limescale buildup to clogged nozzles. 

Limescale build up  

Limescale is a common culprit when it comes to shower water pressure problems. It’s essentially hardened mineral deposits left behind by hard water. As they form in the shower head, they block the small channels inside it. This reduces the space for water to escape, so it thereby reduces the flow.

 

So if you’re ever wondering - why is my shower head clogged? It’s likely that limescale is the problem. 
 

Clogged nozzles

Alongside limescale buildup, your shower head also has to contend with other residue and debris. Over time, the tiny nozzles on your shower head can become blocked by mineral flakes, grit and other debris. In very old shower heads, some of this debris can be the internal parts of the shower head degrading - a sure sign that it’s time to fit a replacement!

Internal blockages or hose restrictions

Another key area to inspect if you have low shower pressure are the pipes and hoses. You can check the hose yourself, looking for any kinks or larger blockages. For the pipework, you may need to call in a plumber to check things out - they may uncover faulty washers or a buildup of sediment in the pipework. Even a small obstruction can significantly affect water flow. 

Mineral heavy (hard water)

Ultimately, the key root cause of low water pressure in a shower is usually water quality. If you live in a hard water area, such as the south west of England, your tap water is likely to have higher concentrations of minerals like calcium and magnesium.

 

These not only leave residue on your skin and hair, but they can also leave it inside pipes and the shower head itself. This causes everything from limescale buildup to clogged nozzles, which all prevent the full, free flow of water from your shower head. 

How Hard Water Affects Shower Pressure

To understand how hard water affects shower pressure, you need to know what it actually is, how it reaches your home and the cumulative effect it has on your shower head. Here’s what may typically happen:

 

  1. Hard water is caused by rainwater passing through underground rock formations, dissolving minerals like calcium and magnesium
  2. These minerals are carried into the water supply 
  3. This mineral-heavy water passes through your shower head
  4. When the water on and inside the shower head evaporates, it leaves behind deposits of minerals
  5. These deposits harden and gradually cause a buildup, which narrows the flow paths of the water (for example, the path to the nozzles)
  6. This has the effect of reducing water flow and pressure from the shower. 

How to Fix Low Shower Pressure at Home

You’ll be pleased to know that there are things you can do to improve your shower head pressure - and you don’t necessarily need a plumber.

 

Here are a few simple tips for how to increase your shower head flow rate:

  • Clean or unblock the nozzles
    If your shower has rubber nozzles, you can massage these to clear out any residue. If the nozzles are fixed, you can use a soft brush or even a toothpick (used carefully) to clear out any blockages.
  • Use vinegar to remove limescale
    Ordinary household products such as vinegar are surprisingly effective at removing limescale. This is because it can dissolve calcium and magnesium deposits. Simply remove your shower head and soak it in vinegar for up to an hour, then rinse thoroughly.
  • Check the hose for any kinks or damage
    Shower hoses can deteriorate over time, as well as being damaged. Check yours to see if there are any obvious problems, and replace if so - they aren’t usually very expensive to buy.

 

Once you’ve successfully cleaned your shower head, you might want to think about more long-term solutions - otherwise, you’ll have to repeat this process many times a year.

 

The solution could be a simple upgrade to your shower head, by installing a shower head filter. 

Why Filtering Your Water Helps Prevent Blockages

If you want to know how to permanently increase water flow from your shower head, you might want to consider upgrading it.

 

Our Shower Head Filter stops minerals before they reach the shower head. It effectively filters out calcium, magnesium, sediments and impurities from your water. This means that limescale buildup and clogged filters simply aren’t a problem.

 

You’ll also benefit from clean, pure water when you shower - which also means good things for your hair and skin. Think less dryness and irritation, shinier hair and fewer breakouts if you have a skin condition.

 

It’s no exaggeration to say that our shower head filter can fix hair and skin issues - as well as water pressure problems - virtually overnight. It’s an affordable, easy to install upgrade for your shower, with no need for a plumber, tools or DIY know-how. 
 

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