Very few people like turning on the shower and enduring a frustratingly slow water spray. Simple chores like washing a pan or taking a quick shower become laborious when removing a small amount of soap takes ten minutes.
The good news is that low water pressure always has a cause, and you can quickly address it most of the time.
This article will cover everything you need about low water pressure in bathtub only, from frequent causes to great fixes.
Symptoms of a Slow-Draining Tub
Most of us may only take notice of clogs accumulating in the tub’s drain once the water takes noticeably longer to drain when lifting the plug.
Unfortunately, taking too long to address the issue of a slow-draining tub will worsen the situation. This is because more debris and grime will have built up, making dislodging the clog difficult and long.
So, address the issue sooner than later.
Why Is Your Tub Draining Slowly or Not Draining at All?
Slow-draining tub issues are often a result of clogs that prevent water from flowing freely along the tub system. Clogs commonly made of twisted hair, filth, grease, and soap can be found in greater numbers in homes where the residents have longer hair.
Foreign things such as toys, quasi-flushable cleansers, narcotics with significant amounts, and congealing substances such as grease or oil are the leading causes of clogging in toilets.
1. Fixture Problems
You may notice low water pressure on a single fixture, such as a kitchen or bathroom faucet. Do a quick assessment to confirm if you need a new fixture or can repair it. Contact your plumber to look for issues with the water lines that supply the affected fixture.
2. Debris Build-Up
Debris and foreign objects can impede water flow if they enter pipes. And this is arguably the leading cause of the home drainage system problem, given the number of materials discovered from the interior of the pipes that break free and float through the system every time city workers carry out maintenance on water mains.
Additionally, metal shavings from the construction process enter the pipe and effectively halt the flow inside a home.
3. Shut Off Valve
If you need to briefly turn off the water supply, close the main water valve; otherwise, leave it open.
The shut-off valve only allows a trickle of water to run if the pressure is intermediate, making your water pressure seem lower than usual. Simply opening the valve all the way will fix the issue.
4. Pressure Reducing Valve
A pressure-reducing valve controls the amount of water pressure entering your pipes. Therefore, if the pressure regulator valve in your plumbing fails, the water pressure in your home might suddenly increase to dangerous levels or drop drastically. You can solve the problem by having a trusted plumbing company install a new valve.
5. Faulty Water Heater
Strange as it may seem, a malfunctioning water heater could cause low water pressure. If minerals, corrosion, or other debris have built up in your water heater, you should have it “flushed” (drained). At least once a year, you should flush your heated water tank or tankless water heater.
6. Blocked Aerator Screen
Aerator screens are tiny mesh pieces fitted into the water tap’s spout. These screens do a wonderful job of managing the flow and combining air into the water channel to conserve water.
They occasionally become kinked, sunk, or blocked, which will lower the water pressure solely in that single faucet. You can twist the screen and place white vinegar for about 20 minutes.
7. Water Leaks
Water leaks can reroute some of the water flow, reducing water pressure. Worse still, it raises your water bill and may result in water damage that will cost tons of dollars to repair. You should monitor the water gauge and get immediate assistance from a qualified plumber if you notice or suspect leaks.
8. Mineral Build-Up
Mineral deposits are formed due to hard water’s large magnesium and calcium content. This could happen if your water comes from a well. Mineral deposits in water systems can eventually clog fixtures like shower heads and steel pipes. A water softening system is the answer to the problem of hard water.
Wrap a towel in vinegar and leave it on the showerhead for a few hours to clean it. If you have clogged pipes, you must clean them on a greater scale; it is time to contact an expert plumber.
Related Post: How to Unclog a Toilet That’s Backing Up Into The Bathtub
Ways to Fix a Slow-Draining Bathtub
Try to keep the cost of employing a plumber to a minimum. These DIY hints and tricks are meant to assist you in doing that.
The task of self-repairing a slow-draining bathtub is frequently less challenging than many imagine. You may fix most clogged bath drain difficulties with a few simple, inexpensive, and easy-to-use tools and techniques.
Once your bathtub drain is fixed, you should attempt to prevent or lower the likelihood of it occurring again; see my recommendations at the bottom of the page for ideas.
Here are the best solutions for you:
1. Baking Soda and Vinegar
The same concoction that makes papier-mâché volcanoes explode at science fairs is also effective at dissolving moderate clogs in plumbing.
Carbon dioxide is released, and rising bubbles are created when vinegar (an acid) and baking soda (a base) are combined. To use this drain-unclogging chemistry-class reaction, do as follows:
- Pour 1/2 cup baking soda into the drain
- Add a cup of white vinegar
- Allow it to foam for five minutes
- Rinse the tub with heated water for a couple of minutes
- Check bathtub drainage
Although this approach is cheap, green, and pipe-safe, more is needed for more serious clogs.
2. A Plunger
A plunger, the quintessential instrument of the plumber’s trade, is a simple and often effective do-it-yourself approach for clearing up clogged bathtub drains.
Plungers are a cheap and simple way to unclog a drain, but because they utilize suction to force air into the drain, they may not be effective against particularly large jams or those made mainly of hair.
The followings are some tips and tricks for using a plunger:
- Put some petroleum jelly on the edge of the plunger to make the seal against the inside even better
- Put in enough water to cover the plunger’s head
- To increase the suction in the tub, plunge it quite deeply
3. Open the Overflow to Get Access
When the first two techniques for drain unblocking fail, you may need to remove the drain cover to gain access to the clog. According to the kind of drain you have, you may require a pair of pliers and a screwdriver.
First, you’ll have to unscrew the overflow sheet, the flat metal plate on the outside of your tub just below the water faucet, and remove it. Once the stopper has been removed, you can reach the lever that opens and closes the drain.
The lever for the drain stopper may be trapped in a partially open position if it is not functioning properly. You can alter the lever’s position by releasing the lock nuts that secure it to the threaded shaft. You can inspect the water pump to know it better.
The problem is likely a blockage if the stopper is functioning normally. Fortunately, the overflow will be necessary for the next action.
4. Use a Plumber’s Snake
If the problem is a blockage you can’t remove, you might have to snake down the drain in the bathtub. Plumber’s snakes are long, usually metal instruments used to break and remove obstructions.
In comparison to the cost of hiring a plumber, you can purchase a plumber’s snake at almost any hardware store at a reasonable price.
Follow these steps to use a plumber’s snake effectively:
- If you haven’t previously, open the overflow and take the stopper off. As a substitute, you can take out the drain filter and snake straight down the drain
- Move the plumber’s snake until there is resistance; this is the clog
- You should insert the spiral point of the snake into the obstruction by rotating the grip forward and backward. you should then break up the obstruction and remove it by pulling and pushing on the handle
- Reposition the snake and pour some hot water down the drain for a while
- If necessary, repeat these instructions until the tub drains regularly
5. Commercial & Chemical Solutions
The next step in unblocking a bathtub that drains slowly is to use a chemical-based clog solution. These industrial cleaners are made to “burn” down obstacles in pipes using acidic substances like sodium hydroxide (lye).
When utilizing commercial chemicals, use extreme caution because they are all harmful if eaten or come into contact with your eyes or skin that are already sensitive. Also, keep kids and pets far away from these toxins.
NOTE: Avoid combining different clog-clearing substances because doing so may cause hazardous reactions with some substances. Several substances could damage your plumbing system and the environment when used frequently. Instead of using chemical clog removers, we suggest consulting a plumber.
6. Call a Plumber
Calling a plumber to clear the blockage for you is the final step. Whether you have reached this stage because you have exhausted stages 1 through 5 or lack the necessary tools or chemicals, this last option will be the most costly. On the bright side, plumbers will use higher-quality instruments, and you are unlikely to get your hands dirty.
Do Tub Faucets Have Flow Restrictors?
The answer to the question of whether tub faucets have flow restrictions or not sometimes it is determined by the structure and the faucet. The majority of the time, the answer is yes.
Most faucets in homes have flow restrictors. The flow restrictors control water pressure and use.
Restrictors are incredibly useful for reducing water usage while maintaining a healthy water supply. Nevertheless, you must take these tools out to address the issue if you experience low water pressure.
How Do I Get More Water Pressure In My Tub?
You can take a couple of approaches to solve the low-pressure problem in your bathtub.
Start with ensuring that all faucets in the bathroom are shut. This helps in maximizing water flow in your tab.
Then, check whether your Aerator is blocked with sediments. If so, clear the clog with a screw while wiping the substance with a soft brush.
Lastly, set up a Water Water Pressure Booster Pump. The device will improve your bathroom’s water pressure and boost water flow in the tub.
Which is the Best Solution For Your Home?
Your best solution will heavily depend on the cause of the low water pressure in the first place. You should call a professional plumber if you’ve tried all the DIY approaches in this guide but failed. Such professionals will investigate the problem and develop the ultimate solution.
Getting your low-water pressure tub fixed sooner than later will save you more damage and any future embarrassment. If the problem is simple, like those caused by a blocked faucet aerator, you can fix them with simple solutions like clearing and unclogging fixtures.
