Shower pressure is low
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Most likely cause & what to check
Start with the simplest cause — a blocked shower head. Unscrew the shower head and soak it in white vinegar for 30–60 minutes to dissolve limescale. In hard water areas this is the most common cause of reduced shower pressure.
Check the shower hose for kinks or limescale build-up inside — replace if the bore is badly scaled (replacement hoses cost £5–£15).
Check if other taps and showers in the house also have low pressure — if so, the whole property has a mains pressure issue. Your water supplier is responsible for mains pressure; call them.
If only this shower has low pressure: check the isolation valve on the cold feed pipe is fully open.
For gravity-fed systems (where the shower is fed from a cold water tank in the loft): the head of water between the tank and the shower determines pressure. Consider fitting a shower pump (£100–£200) to boost the flow.
For thermostatic showers: check the pressure-balancing cartridge inside the valve is not blocked — a plumber can clean or replace this.
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