Quick answer
Low water pressure in one shower, with strong sinks, is almost always a clogged showerhead, a dirty flow restrictor or a worn valve cartridge. Soak the showerhead in vinegar, clean the restrictor, and run the tub spout: a strong spout means the head, a weak spout means the valve. If every fixture is weak, the problem is the house supply. New showerheads are capped at 2.5 gallons per minute by federal rules. Call (888) 217-6781 to reach a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Written & reviewed by Marcus ReedIICRC WRT
Reviewed November 4, 2026· Next review May 2027
When only one shower has weak pressure and the sinks are fine, the cause is almost always in that shower: a clogged showerhead, a flow restrictor, or the valve cartridge behind the handle. When every fixture is weak, the problem is in the house supply, which is a different job.
One Shower or the Whole House?
Run the bathroom sink and a kitchen tap. If they are strong and only the shower is weak, start at the showerhead. If everything is weak, see low water pressure.
Check These First
- 1Clean the showerhead. Unscrew it and soak it overnight in white vinegar to dissolve mineral scale, or scrub the nozzles. Hard water clogs a showerhead within months.
- 2Check the flow restrictor. A small plastic disc inside the showerhead's inlet limits flow. Clean it if it is clogged with grit. Federal rules cap new showerheads at 2.5 gallons per minute, so a modern head will never match an old one.
- 3Run the tub spout. If the spout is strong and the head is weak, the problem is in the head or the shower arm. If both are weak, it is the valve.
- 4Check hot and cold separately. Weak hot only points to the water heater's shutoff or sediment; weak on both points to the valve.
Talk to a plumber about this
One call reaches a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP.
What Fails in the Valve
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Weak on hot and cold, spout and head | Clogged or worn cartridge, or debris in the valve after plumbing work |
| Pressure drops when someone flushes | Pressure-balancing valve working normally, or a worn one overreacting |
| Weak hot only, in every fixture | Partly closed shutoff on the water heater, sediment in the tank |
| Started after a repair or a water main break | Grit in the cartridge or the aerators |
What a Repair Costs
A cartridge replacement is a small valve repair; plumber labor at regular hours runs $45–$200 an hour, about $100 on average, according to Angi. Replacing an older valve behind tile is a larger job. See faucet repair.
When to Call
Call if a clean showerhead does not help and both the spout and head are weak, or if pressure is low in every fixture. (888) 217-6781 connects you to a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP. Follow the short menu, enter your 5-digit ZIP and stay on while it connects; if it does not connect, call once more, because the companies taking calls change minute to minute.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my shower pressure low but the sink is fine?
The cause is in that shower: a clogged showerhead, a flow restrictor, or the valve cartridge behind the handle.
Can a showerhead cause low water pressure?
YesMineral scale clogs the nozzles and the flow restrictor. Soaking the head in white vinegar overnight often restores it.
Why is only the hot water pressure low in my shower?
If hot is weak everywhere, check the shutoff valve on the water heater and sediment in the tank; if only in the shower, the valve cartridge.
Sources
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Disclaimer: HearthDry is an independent educational resource. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, or insurance advice. Consult licensed professionals before making decisions about your property or insurance claims.