i bought a duplex (!)

Low Water Pressure – an easy fix?

My tenants recently let me know that the water pressure in their shower was really low — lower than when they moved into their apartment. I live in the other unit of the duplex, and we both use the same water system, and I hadn’t noticed any difference… This would take some investigating.

My theory was that the problem was a clogged showerhead, rather than some sort of plumbing-wide problem, since my water pressure was fine. Sure enough, when I ran the water through their shower with the showerhead removed, the water pressure was great — and I noticed some black rust and corrosion around the inside of the pipe, and inside the showerhead itself. There was a small screen where the showerhead connects with the plumbing, but it was so full of corrosion that hardly any water could make it through!

The solution — I scraped out some of the corrosion inside of the pipe, and ran plenty of water through it with the showerhead removed, to try to ward off future clogs. I also soaked the showerhead itself in CLR, and cleaned out the screen with a scrub-brush.

I replaced the showerhead, and voila! Water pressure good as new.

I’m just glad that it didn’t involve a plumber this time

Related Articles:

• It's good to know your limits. (Plumbing is mine.)
• I should have become a plumber. Or married one. Or at least befriended one.

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Entry Filed under: General Day to Day Landlady Stuff
Technorati Tags: showerhead water pressure corrosion CLR rust screen pipe plumbing diverter shower low water pressure water pressure low landlord tenant apartment duplex property management maintenance repair rental property