There is a long-standing debate about the correlation between the size of a shower head and its water pressure. While some argue that the bigger the shower head, the higher the water pressure, others think bigger shower heads have low water pressure.
At first glance, it would make sense to think that the bigger the shower head, the greater the water pressure. This is not the case at all.
A bigger shower head does not mean the water pressure will increase. The water pressure coming from your shower head is determined by the internal components or design of the shower head itself and how much water is being supplied to it.
What Is The Ideal Water Pressure For Shower Heads?
To have what is considered to be good water pressure, there should be a perfect balance between how much water is entering the shower head and how much water is coming out of it. This means that to enjoy good pressure in the shower it will be based on how good the pressure of water is that is entering the shower head.
Typical water pressure is between 45 to 60 pounds per square inch (PSI), which translates into a flow rate of 1.5 to 1.8 gallons per minute. Anything below 40 PSI is considered low water pressure.
Does The Size of A Shower Head Affect The Water Pressure?
Generally, the size of a shower head does not affect the water pressure. As mentioned earlier, it is mainly the internal design of a shower head and how much water is reaching it from the water supply line that determines the amount of water pressure you will experience.
If you intend to purchase a bigger shower head to increase the water pressure of your shower head, you may be headed in the wrong direction. Most of the time, people mistake the volume of water from a shower head for the water pressure.
The fact that a shower head is bigger and sprays out a lot of water at once does not translate into high water pressure. Let us take rain shower heads for instance. Because of their wide face surface, most rain shower heads do not have as high of water pressure as compared to regular shower heads for example.
However, now, some brands use new technology to ensure buyers and users enjoy high water pressure with their rain shower heads. Therefore, the size of the shower head is not directly related to its water pressure.
If you would like to purchase a shower head that gives high water pressure, ask for one that has a pressurized chamber design with many spray settings. You enjoy a good flow rate with those.
To simplify things, these are the features you should look out for when looking to buy a shower head that will offer you high water pressure: Spray settings, pressurized nozzle, pressurized chamber, and aeration.
Factors That Affect The Water Pressure Of A Shower Head
Now that we have established that the size of a shower head may have nothing to do with its water pressure, we will outline some factors that may affect the pressure of water coming out of your shower head.
1. Water Pressure From The Main Water Supply
The water pressure from your community’s main water supply and the pressure of water reaching your house will most likely dictate the pressure of water from your shower head. This is especially true if you do not have a water pump or other additional equipment to increase the water pressure in your home.
2. Distance From The Main Water Supply To Your Home
The further away your home is from the main water supply, the lower the water pressure you will experience. This is due to the fact that water pressure decreases as it flows through pipes over long distances.
3. Overall Water Usage At Home
How much water is used at a given time in your house, will affect the water pressure of your shower head. For instance, if an occupant of your house is washing dishes in the kitchen sink, another is doing the laundry and you are also taking a shower at the same time, the water pressure from your shower head will most likely reduce.
To rectify this, you can choose to take showers when there is not much water activity in the entire house so you can enjoy higher water pressure from your shower head.
4. Internal Pressure Of The Shower Head
The internal pressure of a shower head will also affect the water pressure you experience when using it. As we stated earlier, the internal design of a shower head is a major factor in water pressure.
5. Flow Restrictor
All new shower heads come with installed flow restrictors. This regulates the amount of water discharged from your shower head at a given time. If you live in a community that has low water pressure, the presence of a flow restrictor will further reduce the pressure you experience.
To increase the water pressure from your shower head, all you need to do is remove the flow restrictor from your shower head. You can do this by unscrewing the faceplate of your shower head and taking out the flow restrictor from there.
Bear in mind however that this may increase your monthly water bill.
5. Clogged Shower Head Nozzles
Clogged shower head nozzles will also reduce the water pressure you experience while using your shower head. Over time, mineral deposits and dirt will tend to clog the tiny holes on your shower head nozzles. When this happens, water pressure is reduced because water is not flowing as freely as it should.
You can get rid of limescale and mineral deposits on your shower head by soaking it in distilled white vinegar for a few hours and cleaning the nozzles with a soft bristle brush afterward.
If you can vouch that you have good water pressure reaching your house and shower and after cleaning the shower head, the water pressure does not change, you may have to replace the shower head. Also, check for leaks and tighten if any are detected.
6. Spray Settings
The type of shower head you have will also affect the water pressure. For instance, if your shower head has a wide spray setting, the water pressure will be low. This is because the water is being dispersed over a wider area.
If you have a shower head with a focused or narrow spray setting, the water pressure will be higher as the water is focused on a smaller area.
If you have a shower head with multiple spray settings, you can always change to a setting that will give you more water pressure.
Final Thoughts
The size of your shower head may have no effect whatsoever on the water pressure you experience while using it. This is because the water pressure from your shower head is determined by other factors other than its size. These include the water pressure from your main water supply, the distance of your house from the main water supply, overall water usage in your house, and the internal pressure of your shower head.
The next time you think you need a bigger shower head to increase water pressure, ask yourself first if there may be other factors affecting the water pressure in your shower. Thanks for reading.