Fix Low Shower Pressure By Cleaning This Tiny Part Inside Your Valve

Is your once powerful shower now lackluster? Do you struggle to rinse shampoo from your hair or have to crank the handle to full hot just to get lukewarm water? If you're dealing with low shower flow, fluctuating temperatures, or losing the battle for hot water - the issue is likely rooted inside your shower valve.

Behind the trim plates hiding all the plumbing in your wall sits a mixing valve - the control center regulating hot and cold water flow into your shower or tub. While it may feel like a complex contraption, there's just one tiny component that can single-handedly tank your water pressure...

It's All About The Cartridge

Inside the valve body lies a cylindrical cartridge controlling water flow and temperature mixing. Over time, mineral deposits, sediment, and other gunk flows through the lines and gets trapped in the cartridge's inner workings.

As the passageways inside this small part become restricted, you experience weaker shower pressure, inconsistent temperatures, squealing pipes, and other annoying problems.

Symptoms Your Cartridge Needs Cleaning

How can you confirm it's time to give this tiny valve component some TLC? Here are the most common signs of cartridge-related issues:

• Noticeably low shower pressure
• Inability to get as hot as you want despite cranking the handle
• Fluctuating hot and cold cycles
• High pitched squealing from pipes
• Handle stiff or difficult to turn

If you notice one or more of these - it's cartridge cleaning time! Fortunately, this repair takes more grit than money. With a few tools, some elbow grease, and 60 minutes you can restore full pressure and get your dream shower back.

Accessing Your Shower's Mixing Valve Cartridge

Before you can clean this tiny part, you first need to extract it from the valve body hidden behind your wall. Accessing it is easiest with the water supply shut off. Start by removing any decorative trim plates surrounding the valve using a small flathead screwdriver.

With the trim removed, you'll see the main valve body extending from the wall along with the screw or nut holding the cartridge in place. Use a wrench to loosen this fastener until you can pull the cartridge completely free.

Tools You'll Need

To properly disassemble trim plates and access mixing valve components, have these essential tools on hand:

• Safety glasses
• Adjustable wrench
• Channel lock pliers
• Groove joint pliers
• Small flathead screwdriver
• Old toothbrush or wire brush
• Vinegar or CLR cleaner

With your toolkit assembled, shut off the water valves, take a deep breath, and let's dig into that cartridge!

How to Thoroughly Clean A Shower Cartridge

Once you wrestle the cartridge from its valve prison, it's cleaning time. Fill a bowl with 1 part white vinegar or CLR cleaner to 3 parts hot water. Submerge the cartridge and let it soak for at least 60 minutes.

As the solution dissolves mineral deposits, use an old toothbrush or small wire brush to gently scrub any visible gunk clogging the inner assembly. Carefully brush between springs, seals, venom the pathway edges to access built up sediment.

Getting Inside Tiny Cracks & Crevices

For passageways too small for even the tiniest brushes, use short bursts of compressed air to force out lingering debris. Canned air duster works perfectly. Caution - don't use your mouth! Spit contains moisture that can further corrode valve components.

Thoroughly rinse the cartridge under hot running water once finished brushing and compressed air blasting. Check that all formerly clogged ports and pathways run clean. If passages remain blocked, repeat the soaking and scrubbing process.

When To Replace Instead of Clean

If mineral deposits are significant, or rubber seals appear cracked or malformed, replacement may be wiser than cleaning. Diagnosing this takes some experience - when in doubt, contact a professional plumber.

However, more often than not these cartridges clean up nice with some determination. And avoiding the $40+ price of a new one makes the effort worthwhile.

Reinstalling Your Shower Valve Cartridge

Once satisfied with your cleaning results and certain all passages run free, it's time to reinstall the cartridge. Refer to your valve owner's manual for cartridge orientation - often one side connects to hot water, the other cold.

Align properly before gently but firmly inserting back into the valve body. Ensure all rubber seals remained smoothly in place. Then replace any washers or fasteners to hold it all together.

Testing for Leaks

Before reattaching decorative plates, turn your water back on. Let it run a few minutes while closely checking for drips or leaks around the cartridge seals. It's also smart to leave valves open overnight and confirm no drips under sinks or shower floors.

Catching leaks now prevents water damage behind walls down the road. If any dripping occurs, tighten cartridge fasteners or double check for misaligned seals.

Adjust Water Temperature Setting

With full pressure restored and zero leaks - it's time for that long awaited shower! As water warms up, notice if temperature reaches your preferred hot setting.

If still too tepid, most mixer valves include limit stops allowing you to tweak the hottest water temperature. Carefully use a flathead screwdriver to adjust the stop ring to allow hotter water flow.

Turn counterclockwise to permit higher temperatures - but be cautious not to risk scalding. Consult your model's manual for proper temperature calibration.

Balancing Pressure Fluctuations

While adjusting temperature, also notice if pressure fluctuates severely between hot and cold cycles. This indicates failing pressure balance unit that may also require maintenance.

Switch hot and cold positions to compare pressure flow. If large differences occur, contact a professional to restore proper balance and prevent temperature swings.

Confirming Restored Shower Pressure

After reassembly and temperature tweaks, reminisce under full pressure just like your shower's glory days. Scrub hands together under the stream - you should feel firm pressure with zero wide temperature shifts.

Let water flow 5 minutes both cold and hot to ensure stable function in both modes. Pay attention several subsequent showers to confirm pressure and heat consistency.

If fluctuations return, double check cartridge cleaning procedure. Soaking longer or more aggressive brush scrubbing can help release the most stubborn deposits.

While no guarantee against future clogs, staying ahead of sediment buildup helps avoid repeat low pressure emergencies. Consider an annual cartridge cleaning, even if flow seems normal.

Also familiarize yourself with the valve layout during your repair. Knowing the fastener locations and trim plate removal process makes regular maintenance much smoother.

Check outlets every few months by running showerheads after removing any additional heads. Lower flow signals declining cartridge function before pressure loss becomes severe.

Armed with the cartridge cleaning knowledge and preventative care, you now hold the power to forever avoid lackluster showers again! No longer will a tiny part impede your perfect temperature and pressure - as grime comes, you'll know just how to eradicate.