One thing that unites renters is the fundamental belief that nothing is worse than a trickling shower. Or one that oscillates from scolding hot to freezing cold for no reason...
To take the stress out of your morning routine, you could try buying one of the best high-pressure showerheads, which might give your shower more oomph. Although if you're on a tight budget, you might be tempted to try your hand at some amateur plumbing in an effort to improve the situation yourself.
TikTok is a bottomless pit of such DIY hacks, but when Tool Station asked 100 tradespeople, the majority said NOT to try it.
@damgoodbuildr shared a clip demonstrating his 'simple fix' where he unscrews the showerhead and removes the plastic flow restrictor by drilling into it. He says that taking it out will increase the water pressure of the shower.
However, 65% of the tradespeople surveyed said they would not recommend this hack. On TikTok, many people commented that the pressure would remain the same, and the only thing that would change is the flow of water.
A greater flow of water will mean you'll get through a higher volume of water, resulting in higher water bills. But it won't actually make the shower more powerful.
@damgoodbuildr♬ Twist and Shout - Twist and ShoutOne plumber and bathroom fitter was very much against this TikTok shower pressure hack video. ‘Flow restrictors are in place for a reason, removal can cause temperature issues, especially in the case of combi boilers,' they cautioned.
'I would say NEVER remove them unless the manufacturer clearly states they can be removed entirely.' The plumber added that most appliances call for a flow-rated item to be fitted and that different colored ones indicate different flow rates.
'You should always adhere to manufacturer advice,’ they said. After watching the clip, which shows an unsafe drilling method, another professional plumber said, 'Hospital A&E departments are busy enough already.'
If your shower's pressure is making the simple daily task of having a shower stressful, be persistent with your landlord. Kyle Davies,director of Handyman Hunter, which provides services including plumbing work, says to replace the showerhead, clean your existing one, or try having a shower pump installed by a professional.
As long as the issue doesn't stem from your main water supply, these options may help. If you're a homeowner planning a bathroom renovation this year, read up on how to choose a shower so you can make the decision with confidence.
Removing your shower's water flow restrictor does not seem like the way to go.