How to increase low water flow rate in shower/bath with a shower head

Fire Hydrant Spa Deluxe Massager from http://www.highpressureshowers.com/

My husband is very nice to me. He heard me complaining that the showerhead in our bathroom was old and it was not working that well.

Summary: Low water flow to a shower head can be caused by a low-flow shower head

Every hotel I've ever been to has a shower head that blasts me with more water than I could ever need. But the one in my house sends out just a trickle by comparison. I know there is a federal regulation that requires shower heads to produce no more than 2.5 Gallons Per Minute (GPM) at 80 PSI but I assume hotels are also bound by those rules. I've been baffled by this problem and for years I didn't know how to fix it. Now I've finally figured it out.

I measured the water flow rate from my shower head and got 1.2 GPM, but I can get nearly 12 GPM from the utility sink in my basement. Even when the shower head and tub spout are removed the water flow is 1.4 GPM or less from the bare pipe, so I know it's not the fault of the restrictor in the shower head. I have 50 PSI municipal water and copper pipes throughout the house. Here are the measurements I took:
Shower head: 1.2 GPM
Bathtub spout: 1.4 GPM
Shower pipe w/o shower head attached: 1.1 GPM
Tub spout pipe w/o spout attached: 1.4 GPM
Toilet in the same bathroom: 3.9 GPM
Utility sink in the basement: 9.5 GPM

Since I have great pressure elsewhere in the house, next I checked if there might be something gummed up in the shower valve blocking the water flow. I unscrewed the hot water handle and removed the cartridge, but it was nice and clean and there didn't seem to be any blockage in the pipe, either. I turned the water supply to flush out any unseen blockage that might be in there and just to see how much water would come out. Lots! But when I put the cartridge back in I got the same poor water flow. I did notice the cartridge lets water in through two tiny little holes and thus makes a great bottleneck. It seems like it is designed to reduce water pressure by about 80-90%. It is essentially a low-flow shower valve and no matter what shower head I use it will provide poor water flow.

I did some googling and called some plumbing supply stores but as far as I can tell no one has ever heard of a low flow shower valve or low flow cartridge. Everyone suggests checking for a partially closed shut-off valve in the line, gunk clogging up the valve, a restrictor in the shower head, corrosion inside galvanized pipes, or low water pressure to the entire house. I don't have any of those problems.

I asked some plumbing supply stores and a plumber, but there doesn't seem to be a different shower head I could buy that would increase the water flow. This cartridge doesn't have a part number or brand name anywhere on it but it looks like an imitation Delta cartridge. After I tried to drill it out and caused a leak, I replaced it with an Ace hardware part called "Whedon." It's a replacement for a Moen 7534 stem but it looks like my shower never had a genuine Moen part.

I went to Home Depot to check out rough-in valves there, but there is no information provided about water flow rate. On Kohler's website, however, there are some spec sheets for their rough-in valves that give water flow rates. My solution was to replace the rough-in valve with an American Standard part and now my water flow rate is much improved.

I have heard that the 2.5 GPM government regulation caused some manufacturers to overcompensate and produce super-low-flow components that are way below 2.5 GPM just to be on the safe side. But as far as I know, that regulation applied to shower heads and kitchen/bathroom faucets, not to the shower valves themselves. It seems that my shower valve was made with stems/cartridges that are also used for bathroom sink faucets, and those are limited to 2.2 GPM at 80PSI by law. It just seems like a bad design to carry those parts over to a shower/tub valve. It used to take half an hour to fill the tub, which is really annoying and benefits no one.

He took some time and went on line and ended up on http://www.highpressureshowers.com/spa.aspx and ultimately bought the shower heads on Amazon Prime where they have a series of specifically designed showerheads that help people with low water pressure. They are called the “Fire Hydrant Spa series” of different showerheads.

He bought me the massager in the Chrome finish. I received it quite quickly and in no time he hooked up my new showerhead. I took my first shower and I was very happy with the results. The showerhead produced  a powerful stream of hot pulsating water that got me relaxed and clean.
This is a great showerhead.

Dale Meloon

Low Water Pressure in your Shower? Not anymore with this Spa Shower Head

Fire Hydrant Spa Deluxe Massager Showerhead

I bought a massager showerhead from www.amazon.com. It is called the Fire Hydrant Spa and listed in Amazon under low water pressure showerheads.

I had it delivered quite quickly and in no time I had it installed. It gives me the most relaxing shower. This new showerhead seems to have more pressure than my old one.
I am very happy with it.

Kellan  I
Berlin, Germany
Dec. 8, 2016

Fire Hydrant Spa Deluxe Handheld Massager

Great news this Christmas season. For those that do not known what to get Uncle Harry I found the perfect gift. I bought a Fire Hydrant Spa Handheld Massager from www.amazon.com. They have it listed under The Fire Hydrant series of shower heads made by a company in South Florida.
I received my showerhead within two days. I was able to install it easily and with the new design technology I found the water pressure noticeably increased for me. The pulsating hot water was relaxing . I am very happy with this handheld showerhead.

Harold T
Miami, FL

Fire Hydrant Spa Shower Head for Low Water Pressure Fix

I wanted to share what I found on www.amazon.com ‘s website. They have a new showerhead made especially for people that are suffering from low water pressure in their home. It is listed under Fire Hydrant Spa Deluxe Massager at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F5Q0BFM .

I ordered one in a Chrome finish and had it at my door in three days.

I was easily able to install it and I was taking my first shower with a new pulsating , powerful stream of  hot steaming water. It was very relaxing and it got me really clean.

I have found a great Christmas gift for my family and friends! They are going to love this!

Economy Price without losing performance Fire Hydrant Spa Economy Shower Head for Low Water Pressure

Last year I purchased a 6 jet showerhead from Amazon.com that was made www.highpressureshowers.com . This was and is a great showerhead. I love and use it every day. 

I purchased another showerhead from the same company,  www.highpressureshowers.com. 
I needed another great showerhead for my second bathroom. I was really happy with this Fire Hydrant series of showerheads so I thought I would try the economy showerhead. If I did not like it the return policy is great so I could get my money back. I found the shower head on www.amazon.com Prime and got the low water pressure economy shower head fix AT Fire Hydrant Spa Economy Shower Head
I received the economy showerhead quickly. I had it installed in minutes. It was smaller in size and less expensive than the six jet so my expectations were not as high.

Boy was I mistaken. This little showerhead blew me away! The very powerful stream of hot water seemed more powerful than the 6 jet I bought. It got me clean, washed the soap from my hair, and gave me a relaxing shower. This is well worth the money I paid.
If you are on a tight budget or not on one, you got to get this economy model and enjoy its power.

Jake Hirschman Villanova, PA

Low water pressure high pressure handheld shower head fix

I would like to wish all the people that read the reviews before they shop for an item with “Happy Holidays”.

My wife asked me to review the showerheads on www.houzz.com and order her another hand held showerhead for low water pressure.

On Houzz.com they have a list of special showerheads that are designed for people that have problems with water pressure in their showers. They are called the “Fire Hydrant Spa Plaza Massager Hand held showerhead”. You can get the 79-inch or 59- inch Dura Flex hose with it.
I bought he 79 inch hose as I, as well as my wife, like to easily be able to lie down in the tub and use the handheld to rinse. It is easier with the longer hose. http://www.houzz.com/photos/37100470/lid=23091353/Fire-Hydrant-Spa-Deluxe-Massager-Handheld-For-Low-Water-Pressure-transitional-showerheads-and-body-sprays

We received our order quite quickly and found that it was easy to install with the included instructions.

The increased water pressure was noticed immediately. The powerful flow of hot pulsating water was pleasurable. It gets you clean and relaxes tired muscles.

This would make a great Christmas , or Hanukah present.
Gerry Chan
NYC, NY

If a shower has Low water pressure will a new shower head help at all?

Low Water Pressure Fire Hydrant Spa Deluxe Massager Handheld Showerhead

Wilber Zewnow
Ashland, NC

Remove the existing shower head, and turn shower on full force. How's the flow? If plenty of water, then your problem is in the shower head. Look inside the tube which connects to the pipe in the wall. If there's a blue or tan plastic disc with tiny holes, remove it, and reassemble. If no disc, either soak the old head in Lime Remover chemical such as Oxy, or just put on a new head. If on the other head, there's low pressure from the pipe with no head, your problem is upstream from the head -- maybe mixer valve, maybe even further upstream. If you want an overall practical showerhead that produces a powerful flow of water, allows a 59 or 78 inch Dura Flex Hose, and is reasonably priced, I found the perfect showerhead for you.
The Fire Hydrant Spa Deluxe Massager Hand Held at amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015RN5RHK . The lever on the massager head is wonderful. Turn the lever and experience the powerful pulsating flow of hot water.
This showerhead can be found on Amazon.com and is reasonably priced. 
Buy one for the love of your life. You will enjoy it.

Low Water pressure in your shower? Not anymore

Fire Hydrant Spa Plaza Massager Deluxe Handheld

 

Norma Harrington (Springfield, MA.)

Thank God for the new design in low water pressure shower heads. The Fire Hydrant Spa Plaza Massager Deluxe Handheld shower head is the best of all worlds. You can relax in the tub, take a normal shower and wash and rinse the dog and child easily. They are created and sold by www.highpressureshowers.com They are reasonably priced and are a fine addition for anyone's bathroom.

 

Low Water Pressure fix

Fire Hydrant Spa Plaza Massager Deluxe Handheld shower head at amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015RN5RHK

Googber Wendell

Saratoga, NY

My wife asked me to look for a new showerhead on Amazon.com and on google.com as the old one needed to be replaced.

So I searched for low water pressure shower heads on google.com .

 

How Can I Improve the Water Pressure in My Shower?

lifehacker.com/.../how-can-i-improve-the-water-pressure-in-m...

 

Lifehacker

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Mar 1, 2013 - For this reason, many shower heads will deliver less than ideal flow and/or pressure. ... These answers all assume the pressure is low in the whole house. .... fix it, that's what your water bill and tax dollars help pay for anyway.

How can I improve the water pressure in my shower?

diy.stackexchange.com/.../how-can-i-improve-the-water-pressure-in-my-...

 

Jul 23, 2010 - I think in general when people complain of low water pressure in the ... For this reason, many shower heads will deliver less than ideal flow ...

Low Shower Head Water Pressure | Ask the Builder

www.askthebuilder.com/low-shower-head-water-pressure/

 

AsktheBuilder.com: Water pressure that is inadequate in shower heads and faucets might not always be a piping problem.

5 Ways to Solve Your Low Water Pressure Problem - Good ...

www.goodservices.com/waterpressure.php

 

Good Services quick tips for diagnosing and fixing low water pressure. ... faucet in the shower and only two little streams of water come out of the showerhead.

Why is My Shower Pressure Low? | Redbeacon

www.redbeacon.com › Home Guides › Plumbing

 

This will enable you to fix the problem and enjoy your showers once more. 1.Inadequate Plumbing. 2.Small Water Mains. 3.Leakage. 4.Patch Leaks. 5.Replace Pipes. 6.Most Likely, Just Change Shower Head to Low Pressure.

How to Improve Shower Flow | Home Guides | SF Gate

homeguides.sfgate.com › ... › Home Improvement

 

You can also change out the showerhead to increase the shower flow in your home. ... Homes that have low water pressure might need to consider other options. ... Ball Fixture on a Shower Head · How to Repair a Shower Valve Washer Seat ...

How to Increase Water Pressure: 13 Steps (with Pictures)

www.wikihow.com › ... › Plumbing Drains Waste and Vents

 

wikiHow

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There are many causes of low water pressure, and many surprisingly simple remedies that you can perform ... Remove the shower head if the pressure is low there. ... http://www.water-heater-repair-guide.com/lowhotwaterpressure.html ...

A Guide to the Best High Pressure Shower Head - A Great ...

www.agreatshower.com/ultimate-guide-high-pressure-shower-heads/

 

If you just have low water pressure in your shower it might be caused by your bathroom plumbing or your shower head. If your water pressure has become low, ...

Low Water Pressure | Increase Water Pressure

www.homeadvisor.com › Resource Center › Articles

 

In most cases low water pressure affects you in many other areas around the house. If low water pressure is affecting only your shower head, you should check ...

Amazon has a whole line up of specially designed low water pressure showerheads that help people that are suffering from low water pressure in their homes.

I bought the Fire Hydrant Spa Plaza Deluxe handheld with the 78 inch Dura flex hose. This is a great handheld showerhead. It is probably the best handheld showerhead for low water pressure.

After taking my first shower with it I was relaxed and felt very clean.

 

 

Best High Pressure Shower Head for Low Water Pressure

If you want a great showerhead buy the Fire Hydrant Spa Plaza Massager showerhead from Amazon.com. They have a very nice selection of special low water pressure showerheads.

I bought the Massager and I am very happy with it.
If you just have low water pressure in your shower it might be caused by your bathroom plumbing or your
shower head.
A high-pressure shower head gives you an invigorating shower experience. If your shower head's water flow is weak, low water pressure in your home or hotel or gym. Water pressure that is inadequate in shower heads and faucets might not always be a piping problem.
All of the Fire Hydrant Shower Heads are specifically designed and engineered for low water pressure - regardless of whether you have a well or city/town water. - Traditional Low Water Pressure Shower Head to increase my water pressure Fire Hydrant Spa Presidential 6 Jet Shower Head http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015HJ0LM0

Brutes  Jerry

Whales, England

    

How to fix low water pressure in your shower.. best shower head of 2015

Best Shower Head for Low Water Pressure Fire Hydrant Spa Plaza Massager showerhead

Olivia Crooker ocrooker@yahoo.com

Boston,  MA

I recently purchased a Fire Hydrant Spa Plaza showerhead from Amazon Prime at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WXPGCSE.
This is an amazing little showerhead. The special design helps people that have low water pressure coming into their homes.
When I took my first shower with it I was thrilled. I was having problems with my water flow from the old showerhead and this solved my problem. It is priced reasonably and does its job.

low water pressure handheld shower head solution to get high pressure in your shower head

Fire Hydrant Spa plaza Deluxe massager Handheld shower head

Cecil Gobberdowski c.gobberdowsk@travelers.com
Warsaw, Poland

Looking for a great low water pressure showerhead? Hand held shower heads offer complete flexibility to help you create a great shower area in your home. They’re great for the young and old, but work well for people of all ages in between too. Washing and cleaning become a breeze with a detachable shower head, because they allow you to easily direct the water flow to any area you need to.

Keeping the whole family happy is easy too, as most hand held shower heads can function just like a fixed wall mounted shower head.

 

I found a great one on America’s Amazon.com. It is called the Fire Hydrant Spa plaza Deluxe massager Handheld shower head.  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015RN5RHK

America has developed some great technology in the last ten years.
I recommend it to all my family and friends.

Solution to low water pressure in your handheld shower head fix

Fire Hydrant Spa Deluxe Handheld Plaza Massager Shower Head

Best shower head for the money

Rudy Houser (Putney, VT)

After searching the internet I found a website that has produced special shower heads to help people that have low water pressure in their homes and showers. The website is www.houzz.com. Among the many shower heads they have listed on their site I picked the Fire Hydrant Spa Plaza Massager Shower Head. I bought it for the reasonable cost and the reviews for this shower head at http://www.houzz.com/photos/37100470/lid=23091353/Fire-Hydrant-Spa-Deluxe-Massager-Handheld-For-Low-Water-Pressure-transitional-showerheads-and-body-sprays. I received this shower head quickly and was able to install it easily with the instructions provided. My first shower was so amazing. It was very relaxing and when I dialed in the massager lever it produced a powerful flow of pulsating hot water that I never had before. As you can tell I am very happy with it.

 

POWERFUL SHOWER HEAD

HIGH PRESSURE SHOWER HEAD FOR LOW WATER PRESSURE THE Fire Hydrant Spa Plaza Massager Showerhead


I found a very good showerhead on Amazon.com. I needed a replacement for an old showerhead and found a Fire Hydrant Spa Plaza Massager Showerhead AT http://www.amazon.com/Best-Shower-Head-Water-Pressure/dp/B00WXPGCSE. This little showerhead is designed to help people that suffer from low water pressure in their showers.

It produces a water flow of pulsating hot water that will get you clean as well as relaxing you for a long day at work.

Hope Wells

Tucson, AZ

Fire Hydrant Spa Presidential 6 Jet Shower Head Chrome Shower Head

Easy to install and works well.

Sammy Duball (New Orleans,LA)

I bought a quality shower head from www.highpressureshowers.com.It was the Fire Hydrant Presidential 6 Jet Shower Head in the chrome finish. This shower head is extremely well made and provides a very pleasing pattern of spray. It matches my existing accessories very well and was an easy install. As soon as I hooked it up I noticed an increase in my shower's water pressure. This is the best shower head for people that have low water pressure problems.

 

Fire Hydrant Spa Plaza Massager Shower Head

Problem with low water pressure in your shower?

Wayne Johnson (St. Louis,MO)

I live on a rural street where we just have well water and the water pressure is not all that good. My neighbor told me about a new design for shower heads for people in our situation. The website is www.highpressureshowers.com. He told me about this Fire Hydrant Spa Plaza Massager Shower Head that he had purchased. He showed me how the water pressure increased dramatically after he turned his shower head on for the first time. The powerful flow of water gave him the best shower he has had in a long time. He felt this shower head was the best shower head for low water pressure issues. I ordered this shower head as soon as I got home. Tremendous.

 

Fire Hydrant Spa Deluxe Plaza Massager Handheld Shower Head 78" Hose

Hand held pleasure at a reasonable cost

Donna Heli (NY,NY)

I bought a Fire Hydrant Spa Deluxe Plaza Massager Handheld Shower Head with the 78 inch dura flex Hose from www.highpressureshowers.com. They have some of the best shower heads for low water pressure on the market today at a fair price. I absolutely love this shower head. This ought to be the last shower head for low water pressure that I will have to buy for years. When I turn my shower head on now it is like I am opening up a Fire Hydrant. The increase and power of my shower is amazing. This is the best hand held shower head for people that suffer from low water pressure problems.

 

Fire Hydrant Spa Economy Shower Head

Simple but works well.

Henry Winker (Athens, GA)

If you want a simple, reasonably priced shower head made especially for people that suffer low water pressure problems then this is the shower head you should buy. For $20 you can buy a Fire Hydrant Spa Economy Shower Head from www.highpressureshowers.com. Reasonably priced, increases your water pressure, flow, velocity of the water coming out of your shower. For the price this is the best low water pressure shower head made. Buy one for each shower in your home, I did.

 

Fire Hydrant Spa Symphony 4 Jet Oil Rubbed Bronze Shower Head

unique,quality shower head

Wayne Johnson (Detroit, MI)

This Oil Rubbed Bronze Shower Head is a work of art. When you turn this on in your shower you will think you are signing in a symphony. This is the best old fashioned style with new low water pressure technology in a quality produced product. It will increase the power of you shower head with this new design. It is the best shower head for low water pressure ever designed. My wife and myself are very happy with this product. www.highpressureshowers.com has done a great job.

 

Fire Hydrant Spa Deluxe Plaza Massager Handheld Shower Head 59" Hose

Powerful handheld for low water pressure in shower

David Rayn (NYC)

This Fire Hydrant Spa Deluxe Plaza Massager Handheld Shower Head with the 59 inch dura flex hose is a great product. I cannot believe such a low price. I was just at Home Depot and a similar hand held shower was more, without the special low water pressure technology. Don't let the inexpensive price give you pause, sometimes in life we get what we pay for,PLUS. What a pleasant surprise this hand held shower head is. When I hooked it up the water pressure was so much higher in my shower. This is the best hand held shower head for low water pressure. The velocity and flow was so much more powerful. Thank you www.highpressureshowers.com.