Hey everybody!


I bought a duplex recently and am having issue with the tub/shower pressure. This unit (bottom of a two story duplex) has 3 beds and 1 full bath. I have posted a video helping illustrate the situation and to provide a visual.


VIDEO - https://youtu.be/hi522pm5vqw


In a nutshell - the shower pressure is so low that taking a shower would actually be impossible. The tub faucet seems to be delivering more water, but not by much. My observations:
- the bathroom sink pressure seems OK
- the kitchen sink pressure seems OK
- water from the outside hose bib delivers plenty of water


What could be causing this? It has been like this since I bought the home. I believe it's a more recent thing as the tenants (moved out just before I purchased the home) would have certainly not put up with it. Also, this would have shown up in the inspection. There are no tenants living there now but the top tenants have never complained about water pressure.


If anyone has any tips/pointers, I would greatly appreciate your feedback!

Remove the showerhead and check water pressure again. If it's okay, then clean your shower heads by soaking it in CLR, or vinegar.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=cleaning+shower+heads+with+clr&qpvt=cleaning+shower+heads+with+clr&FORM=VDRE

Let me know if it works for you.

Suggest you purchase hose bib pressure gauge. Should cost about $10-15. This will tell you what the static water pressure is and help in determining whether you have a pressure problem or a volume problem.

If static pressure checks out then you begin looking for volume restrictions. Water pressures vary but you can determine what the pressure should be by checking with neighbors or calling water company.

To me the volume looks low, particularly in the shower and the outside hose bib. Make sure that the main valve in the house is completely open. Also check that the shut off valve at the water meter is completely open.

Suggest you purchase hose bib pressure gauge. Should cost about $10-15. This will tell you what the static water pressure is and help in determining whether you have a pressure problem or a volume problem.

If static pressure checks out then you begin looking for volume restrictions. Water pressures vary but you can determine what the pressure should be by checking with neighbors or calling water company.

To me the volume looks low, particularly in the shower and the outside hose bib. Make sure that the main valve in the house is completely open. Also check that the shut off valve at the water meter is completely open.

@hkstroud - Thank you for your feedback. It might be hard to tell, but the hose bib pressure is really great and comes out in buckets. Does that change your feedback at all?

The hose bib is probably not regulated through the PRV. Many are not. The one in the front of my house is before the PRV.

Looked at you video. You have low pressure everywhere in your house. Hose valve appears to have the most pressure because it is closest to the source, not pressure or temperature controlled - but even though - nothing to speak of. Sink faucet and kitchen faucet appear to have normal water flow because they draw the least water and water is well aerated at the spout. As far as your shower goes: if you install water saving shower head, you will get better water distribution from the head giving you impression you have good pressure. Also, you show us water flow in tub / shower - but fail to include shot of your tub faucet.

Do this: Measure water pressure on water main line, before it enters house. Let us know how much pressure you have at that point.

Back to you

Milo

What is the pressure? Do you have a PRV?
Pressure and volume at all points is low compared to mine.

As stated earlier, check main valve in the house and the shut off valve at the meter. If previous owners had account closed and water turned off, someone may have not opened the meter valve comletely when water was turned back on for you.