I want the water pressure in my shower to be stronger.?

Question

Our shower only minimally sprinkles and I need a strong hot shower to help with arthritis and FM. We draw from a well at 10 gpm and the pump is new. The pressure tank is set between 40-60 psi, so I'd imagine that would be enough. I'm afraid to set the psi any higher because the house is 25 years old and some of the pipes are pvc. Would it be safe to crank up the pressure? (I've already removed the water savers). Any other suggestions?

Answer 1

OK, The truth about PVC is that it is burst tested at 500 PSI and it would be really tough to blow it, if they used the proper stuff, schedule 40 at least. My suggestion, crank it up. Does other faucets have good strong flow? What I am getting at is that the valve on the shower may be fairly plugged up. They are pretty easy to open and inspect. I saw the burst test on TV, pretty awesome. I worked with lots of plastic in my day, still do. Go for at least 60. Mine is city pressure 80 to 100 because I am in an agricultural area. I just added a boost pump to a friends house, not so much for pressure, but for better overall flow. Check your static pressure, but the key to getting more flow is upping the pressure! Good luck

Answer 2

If the water pressure from the kitchen faucet is strong then check the shower head for a 2nd saver or purchase another shower head and remove the savers.
I use mine because of arthritis & joint pain and this last shower head had 2 savers in it.

Answer 3

25 is not very old for plumbing. read the manuf recommendation when setting the pressure. set it on the high side as it already has a built in safety margin. Unscrew the shower head and clean it. run the water with no head on it to emty any debris and test the pressure. if you now have pressure, a clean shower head should do it. If you dont, call a plumber.

Answer 4

You have plenty of pressure. I would suggest getting a Waterpic showerhead with the variety of sprays. Even with the watersaver intact, it gives plenty of force when set at your preference of sprays. With a well, you may need to remove and soak the head occasionally to remove calcium deposits. This is simple by soaking in vinegar for a few hours.

Answer 5

A few things... you should have a plumber check the water heater connections. The pipe can be clogged with deposits which will restrict the flow. Also you should add an aerating showerhead. Sounds counterintuitive but it will make the flow feel stronger.

Answer 6

Try an oxygenated shower head. Amazing results even with low water pressure.

Answer 7

install an in-line pump if shower is on an indirect hot water system, if the shower is of an electric type that's heats the water directly then replace with a more powerful shower, of at least 10 kilowatts.
domestic hot water systems running off of an indirect system, a hot water cylinder, are not normally pressurized, they work off gravity.
a direct system, water that is heated on demand directly through a boiler, only work off the pressure of the cold water main. if you can actually increase the pressure of your cold water, then give it a try. if other taps/faucet's have good pressure. then i can only suggest that you try one of my first suggestions.

Answer 8

No, very low in fact. we are on a shared properly. often times the water stress on the chilly water is so undesirable that it will circulate interior the direction of the tub faucet yet not the bathe head. meaning you may get the tub faucet water to a cushty temperature, turn on the bathe head and be hit via scalding warm water. i think of the neighbours do it on purpose. j0e

Answer 9

Try to unscrew the shower top and see if some calcification stones clogged the shower holes. That helped me most often.

Answer 10

I have been a mantenance man for apartments for a few years now and the best solution is what the first person answered. "Change the shower head."