How Do I... Boost My Shower's Power?

Sick of starting your day with a weak shower? A plumber spills the secrets to improve your shower's performance

Georgia MaddenAugust 16, 2019

Standing beneath the dribble of a sluggish shower is no way to kick off your morning. Fortunately, it’s not something you have to put up with. Pino Tarquinio, a licensed plumber in Victoria and spokesperson for Methven, reveals how to get more oomph from your shower.

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What do I need for a good, strong shower?
A combination of good water flow and water pressure.

Water flow is the amount of water that comes out of a plumbing fixture and is measured in litres per second.

Water pressure relates to how much force water is under as it moves through the system, and is measured in Australia by kPa (kilopascals). The Australian Standard specifies that water pressure must be limited to 500 kPa on any new home, extension or renovation.

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What are the most common causes of a weak shower?
These are the most likely causes of a poorly performing shower, in order of likelihood:

Blocked filters.
Poor water pressure.
The wrong type of showerhead.
Inadequate water flow.
Corrosion build-up in older pipes, which can block water flow.
The effect of plumbing works on your street.

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What are the main signs your shower has low water pressure?
A change in your shower’s performance or water output is generally the first sign of a problem.

Also be aware of the type of hot-water system you have. If your home has a gravity-fed system, the power of your shower will typically be lower than with a pressurised hot-water system.

Find a plumber on Houzz to improve your shower and hot-water system

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What can I do about it?

First, check the filters, which are typically located at the connection point between the pipework and the fitting (look at the end of a hose in a handheld shower, or in the actual showerhead in an overhead shower). If you find debris in the filter, you can generally remove it with tweezers, then rinse the filter and put it back in position.
You can check your water pressure with a pressure gauge, which can be purchased from large hardware outlets or plumbing stores. Fit the gauge to the water outlet and it will give you an indication of the water pressure. Water pressure should be no more than 500 kPa.
Contact your local council and find out if there are any current plumbing activities on your street that might be affecting your water delivery. That said, most councils will typically give advance notice if works are planned.

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If you have a gravity-fed water system and low water pressure continues to be an issue, you may want to consider upgrading to a pressurised hot-water system. Alternatively, you may want to consider replacing pipework or putting in an additional pump. A licensed plumber is best placed to advise you on this as well as carrying out the work to ensure it meets all Australian standards.

How Do I… Know if My Hot-Water System is About to Fail?

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…Or change your showerhead
If you want the feeling of a more powerful shower, consider switching your conventional showerhead for an aerated one. Aerated showerheads deliver a stronger feeling and a more voluminous spray, while using less water than most conventional showerheads, by infusing the water coming out of the showerhead with air.

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You’ll find a variety of aerated models on the market (Methven’s Aurajet, for example, delivers 20 percent more spray force and twice the coverage of a conventional showerhead with the same water-flow rate). Some aerated showerheads are especially designed to suit low-pressure water systems.

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