Low Shower Water Pressure? Soak the Showerhead in Vinegar

Fix low shower water pressure

Lost shower pressure while the other faucets are fine points straight at mineral buildup in the showerhead. A bag of white vinegar tied over it for an hour, or overnight, dissolves much of it. If every faucet is weak, the problem is somewhere else. If you can take the head off, a soak in a bowl of vinegar lets you scrub the nozzles with an old toothbrush too.

Why the spray gets weak

Tap water carries dissolved minerals, mostly calcium. Every time water dries in the showerhead, it leaves a little behind, and after a year or two the deposits start to block the nozzles. White vinegar is mildly acidic, and an overnight soak dissolves most of it.

Possible causes

Mineral buildup

Hard water leaves scale in the small nozzles until many of them barely flow.

A clogged screen or flow restrictor

Many showerheads have a small screen where they screw on, and it catches grit.

A partly closed valve

After plumbing work, a valve sometimes doesn't get opened all the way again.

A whole-house problem

If every faucet is weak, it isn't the showerhead. It could be the pressure regulator or the supply line.

Where is the low pressure?
Where	Most likely	Fix
Only the shower	Scale in the showerhead	Vinegar soak, then scrub the nozzles.
Only the hot water, everywhere	Water heater sediment or its valve	Flush the heater, check its valves.
Every faucet in the house	Main valve, pressure regulator, or supply	Check the main valve is fully open, then call a plumber.
Right after new plumbing work	Debris in aerators	Unscrew and rinse the aerators and showerhead screen.

A quick cautionDon't mix vinegar with bleach cleaners, even in the same bag or tub. The combination gives off a toxic gas.

Soak and scrub

0 of 5 done

Make sure it's just the showerIf the bathroom sink has good pressure, the problem is in the showerhead. If every faucet is weak, go to the call-a-pro section below.
Done
Fill a bag with vinegarPour enough white vinegar into a plastic bag to cover the nozzles.
Done
Tie it onSlip the bag over the showerhead and hold it on with a rubber band around the arm.
Done
Let it soakLeave it at least an hour, or overnight for heavy buildup. For brass or nickel finishes, stick to an hour or two.
Done
Something went wrong?
- You're worried about the finish Unscrew the head and soak just the nozzle face, or keep the soak to an hour or two and rinse well.
Scrub and run itTake the bag off, scrub the nozzles with an old toothbrush, and run hot water for a minute to flush out the loosened bits.
Done
Something went wrong?
- The pressure is still weak Unscrew the head and look for a small screen or flow restrictor inside the neck. Rinse it out. If every faucet is weak, the problem isn't the shower.

Watch it done

Clean Your Shower HeadBy Handyman Hertz on YouTube. Their method may vary a little from ours.

Watch on YouTube

How you'll know it's fixed

The spray comes out strong and even from all the nozzles
No white buildup left on the nozzles
Pressure at the shower matches the bathroom sink

Still weak after the soak? Unscrew the head and clean the screen inside.

If the spray is still weak

If only the hot water is weak, the water heater or one of its valves is the likely cause, not the showerhead.

If water keeps pouring from the tub spout while the shower runs, the diverter is worn and the showerhead gets only part of the flow.

If the soak didn't help, unscrew the showerhead and check the screen inside. Rinse it, or pick out debris with a toothpick. Wrap the nut in a rag before using a wrench so you don't scratch the finish, and add fresh thread tape when you screw it back on.

Check the screen tooMany showerheads have a small screen or restrictor where they screw onto the arm. If the soak didn't help much, unscrew the head and rinse that screen as well.

Keep it from coming backIn hard-water areas, a vinegar soak every six months keeps the buildup from getting a head start.

Call a plumber ifLow pressure at every faucet, a sudden drop everywhere, or brown water. Those can mean a failing pressure regulator or a supply problem.Fix it yourself or call? Compare the cost →

What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): A plumber usually charges $150–$400 to diagnose low water pressure. A new showerhead costs $20–$80 and installs by hand.

Find a plumber near you

Shower pressure questions

How often should I clean the showerhead?

Every six months with hard water, once a year elsewhere.

Is low-flow the same as low pressure?

No. A low-flow showerhead uses less water by design but should still feel strong. A weak spray from one usually means the nozzles are clogged.

Why is only the hot water weak?

Usually sediment in the water heater or a partly closed valve on the hot side. If it's only one shower, check that showerhead first.

Can I take out the flow restrictor?

In many places showerheads are required to limit flow, and removing the restrictor can void the warranty. Clean it first; a clogged restrictor is more often the problem.

Why did my shower pressure suddenly drop?

If it was one shower overnight, a flake of scale may have lodged in the screen. Unscrew it and rinse it. If every faucet dropped at once, make sure the main valve is fully open and check with your water utility for work nearby.

Will vinegar damage my showerhead?

On chrome, an overnight soak is fine. For brass, nickel or other special finishes, keep it to an hour or two and check the manufacturer's care instructions.

Why is there low water pressure in my shower only?

Usually mineral buildup is clogging the tiny holes in the shower head. Soak it in a bag of white vinegar, then scrub the nozzles.

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Checked against: Manufacturer instructions for the parts and products involved, EPA WaterSense.

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A helpful next stepLow water pressure in the whole houseMake sure it's every fixture, measure the pressure, open the main valve fully, adjust or replace the pressure-reducing valve, clear a whole-house filter, check for leaks, and check the pressure tank and switch on a well.