Troubleshooting • Updated Jan 12, 2026 • 12 min read

Low shower pressure: 6 checks before you call maintenance

Low pressure is often caused by buildup in the showerhead or a partially closed valve. These checks are renter-safe and don't require opening walls or doing plumbing work.

Michael Rivera

Property maintenance specialist with 12+ years helping renters handle everyday fixes.

Important: These guides focus on low-risk, reversible steps. If your lease forbids a modification (or the task involves gas/electrical/structural work), stop and contact maintenance.

At a glance: If every faucet is weak, it’s likely a building issue. If only the shower is weak, it’s usually the showerhead screen, a restrictor, a kinked hose, or a diverter problem.

Close-up of a faucet aerator showing the mesh screen — The aerator (mesh screen at the faucet tip) can clog with mineral buildup. Showerheads have similar screens that reduce flow when dirty.

Quick diagnosis (1 minute)

Symptom	Most likely	Next step
All faucets low (kitchen + bathroom)	Building supply/pressure issue	Document and contact maintenance
Only shower is low	Showerhead screen/restrictor	Clean/soak the head (below)
Pressure changes when you switch hot/cold	Mixing valve/cartridge issue	Maintenance ticket
Water leaks from tub spout while showering	Diverter worn	Maintenance ticket
Handheld hose feels “pinched”	Kinked hose / clogged screen	Straighten + check screens

Tools & supplies

Old toothbrush (nozzle cleaning)
White vinegar + water (or citric acid solution)
Plastic bag + rubber band (for a soak)
Microfiber cloth (wipe finishes)
Optional: a bowl/bucket for soaking removable parts

6 quick checks (in order)

Check other faucets: if the whole unit is low, it may be a building issue.
Look for a flow restrictor (some showerheads have them by design).
Clean the showerhead face: scrub mineral deposits on nozzles.
Vinegar soak: bag + diluted vinegar on the head for 30–60 minutes, then rinse.
Check the hose (if handheld): kinks or a clogged screen can reduce flow.
Check the tub diverter: if water is leaking out the tub spout while showering, the diverter may be failing.

Step-by-step details (so you don’t waste time)

1) Compare other faucets

Test the bathroom sink and kitchen sink.
If both are low, note the time of day (some buildings dip at peak usage). Still: it’s usually a maintenance issue.

2) Clean the nozzles

Run hot water over the showerhead for 30 seconds (softens deposits).
Scrub the face gently with an old toothbrush.
Wipe with a microfiber cloth so you don’t scratch finishes.

3) Vinegar soak (low-risk)

Mix roughly 1:1 vinegar and warm water in a bag.
Secure the bag over the showerhead for 30–60 minutes.
Remove, rinse thoroughly, and run the shower for 1–2 minutes.
If your shower has natural stone nearby, avoid splashing vinegar onto the stone.

4) Flow restrictor note

Some showerheads include restrictors for water savings. If your pressure has always been “weak,” it may be the head design rather than a sudden plumbing problem. If the pressure dropped suddenly, restrictor design is less likely.

5) Handheld hose checks

Straighten the hose fully and test again (kinks can cut flow).
Some handheld setups have small screens at connections that clog—if you can’t access them safely, file a ticket.

6) Diverter check (tub/shower combos)

Pull the diverter and run the shower.
If a lot of water still pours out of the tub spout, the diverter is likely worn. That’s a maintenance repair.

When to call maintenance

Sudden major drop across the unit.
Pressure varies wildly with temperature changes.
Visible leaks behind the shower wall or around fixtures.
Water hammer / loud banging when turning water off.
Only hot or only cold is weak (valve/cartridge issue).

Maintenance request template (copy/paste)

Subject: Low shower pressure in [bathroom] (sudden change)

Hi [Landlord/Maintenance], the shower pressure in the [bathroom] has been low since [date]. Other faucets are [normal/also low]. I cleaned the showerhead face and did a vinegar soak but the issue persists. Could you please inspect the shower valve/diverter and building pressure as needed? I can share a short video and I’m available [times]. Thank you.

FAQ

Can I remove the showerhead? Some leases allow it, some don’t. If you’re unsure, stick to external cleaning and a soak.
Is vinegar safe? Generally yes for metal/plastic showerheads, but avoid contact with natural stone and always rinse well.
Why is it worse at certain times? Building demand can reduce pressure. If it’s consistent, it’s more likely buildup or a fixture issue.

Quick flow test (no tools)

If you want a simple “is this really low?” check, you can do a quick bucket test.

Use any container you know the size of (a 1-gallon jug, a 2-liter bottle, or a bucket with markings).
Run the shower at full hot (or your typical setting) for 10 seconds and capture the water.
Multiply by 6 to estimate “per minute.”
If the shower suddenly dropped compared to last week, that’s useful info for maintenance even if you don’t know the exact number.

Common causes (by pattern)

Sudden drop overnight

Clogged screen (mineral scale) in the showerhead.
Partially closed shutoff in a building (maintenance may have done work).
Valve/cartridge issue if it also affects temperature stability.

Gradual decline over months

Mineral buildup (hard water) in the head and internal channels.
Older showerhead design with a strong restrictor.

Only hot or only cold is weak

This often points to a mixing valve/cartridge issue. That’s a maintenance repair in most rentals.

Mistakes to avoid

Over-soaking finishes in strong vinegar for hours (can dull some coatings).
Using abrasive pads on showerhead faces (scratches and makes future buildup stick easier).
Disassembling the valve or opening walls—this is not renter-safe.
Ignoring diverter leakage: if a lot of water is escaping from the tub spout, cleaning the showerhead won’t fix it.

Optional: photo checklist (for a fast maintenance ticket)

10–15 second video showing the low flow at full setting.
Photo of tub spout while shower is on (shows diverter leakage, if any).
Note whether other faucets are normal or also low.
Timeline: “started on [date], sudden/gradual.”

Prevention (keep pressure from dropping again)

Monthly nozzle wipe: quick scrub prevents scale from hardening.
Quarterly soak if you have hard water (short vinegar soak + rinse).
Pair with glass care: hard water scale that clogs heads also stains glass (see hard water stain removal).
Ventilation helps: reducing humidity keeps deposits from “baking on” as quickly (see mold prevention).

One last sanity check

If the shower is still low after cleaning/soak, and other faucets are normal, it’s likely a fixture/valve/diverter issue.
If multiple faucets are low at the same time, it’s likely building pressure or upstream work.
If you see any leakage behind walls or around trim, treat it as a priority maintenance issue.

If you live in a large building

Apartment buildings can have pressure reducers, shared risers, and peak-demand dips. If your shower pressure is only low at certain hours and your neighbors mention the same thing, that’s a strong signal to file a building-level ticket (not a showerhead issue).