How to Improve Water Pressure in Your Shower
Does your shower feel more like a drizzle than a downpour? This is a common problem throughout NZ and something our Ka Pai Guys have helped many homeowners fix.
Having a dribbly shower is a sad way to start your day, so let’s dive into the cause and how it can be fixed.
What’s Causing Your Low Water Pressure?
The first question a plumber will ask you when you’re complaining about bad water pressure in the shower, is what kind of water pressure system you have. They want to know if you’ve got mains or low pressure water.
The most common culprit of low water pressure in the shower is an old low-pressure hot water system. These systems were popular in older homes but can’t provide the strong, steady water flow that modern mains pressure systems deliver.
If you’re not sure what kind of system you have, check your hot water cylinder – there may be a label on it. If it’s not clear, give us a call, and we’ll help you figure it out.
If you’ve got a low water pressure system, we can fix it and the best way is to upgrade to a high pressure system.
Upgrade to a High-Pressure System
To improve your shower pressure, the most effective solution is upgrading to a mains pressure hot water system. These systems are designed to deliver strong, consistent water flow throughout your home, not just in the shower.
Another popular option is a continuous flow hot water system, also known as a gas or instant water heater. These are efficient, take up less space, and provide endless hot water at mains pressure.
Costs to Consider:
A new mains pressure cylinder: $2,500–$3,500
A continuous flow system: $2,000–$4,000
The exact cost depends on the size and type of system you choose, as well as any additional plumbing work needed.
This is something we can provide a fixed price for, before we begin the work.
Other things to consider when upgrading to high pressure
Is Your Plumbing Ready for High Pressure?
If your home has older plumbing, the pipes might not be designed to handle the increased pressure from a modern system. Before installing, we’ll inspect your plumbing to ensure it’s ready for the upgrade.
In some cases, we might need to replace narrow or outdated pipes to prevent leaks or other issues. We can also provide a quote for this to make sure there are no surprises when you get your invoice.
Why Better Water Pressure is Worth It
High-pressure plumbing adds long-term value to your home. Not only will it make your day-to-day life better when you wash clothes, fill pots and rinse your dishes, prospective buyers will be happy it’s already been taken care of.
Ka Pai Plumbing is Here to Help. We Can:
✔️ Figure out what water pressure system you have
✔️ Provide a quote to upgrade your water pressure system from low-pressure to mains
✔️ Provide a quote/report for prospective buyers detailing the pressure system and upgrade cost
✔️ Complete the upgrade for you with a 12-month workmanship warranty
Get in touch, by filling out this form and someone from our team will get back to you.