No water pressure

[alt171brain]

I have shower with body jets installed and and there is no pressure to bottom jet. I have enclosed a picture and want to ask the group if my proposed solution would increase the pressure. The dotted lines are my proposed fix. It's simply teeing off from point A (shower head) to point C. thanks. I should mention I have another shower head and diverter installed too.

 

[Jadnashua]

No way to tell what the issue is without more info, and a pressure balance loop may not solve your problem. A typical 1/2" shower valve can supply in the order of 5-6gpm (you results may vary). A head is limited by Federal regs to a max of 2.5gpm. So, you could be exceeding the capacity of the supply lines through that valve into your shower plumbing. If you have pex in the wall for between the showerheads, that in itself may be the problem, and could be as well, if that is what was used to supply the shower valve, or possibly cpvc...both have a smaller ID than copper, and can carry less volume.

Basic shower info...the supply lines must be able to supply at least, and preferably more, volume than the heads were designed for...any less, and the performance will suffer. FWIW, it's very likely a volume issue, and unlikely a pressure issue, and it may not improve unless you can increase the volume.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Jm66208]

Is this a new install or old? Maybe a restrictor is missing or clogged.

 

[alt171brain]

Is this a new install or old? Maybe a restrictor is missing or clogged.

Thanks for your questions I will try to answer them both. This was a new install (5 years ago) and I had them install ½ copper and 3/4 inch copper, the shower had 3/4 run to it, than 1/2 inch to each shower valve. I have a six station cartridge diverter installed too that will run either shower head ( no issues) or the shower heads with the body jets. I can turn on just the jets and the top one will run better then the bottom jet (it will still trickle)

 

[alt171brain]

How do I increase the volume? thanks

 

[Jadnashua]

It may require swapping the 1/2" valve to a 3/4" one. A pressure balance loop won't give you more volume, but it may even out the pressure a bit. Might not make any difference.

Has it changed since installed? There could be some crud in the line(S) or jets. Did you for chance do any maintenance, and shut the main valve off? Ensure it is fully opened, along with any valves along the way (WH, etc.). If any of the shutoffs are gate valves, those can fail (the gate breaks off from the handle).

 

[alt171brain]

It has been this way since day 1, I still could have some debris I suppose possible in the diverter cartridge.. No maintenance has been done all valves are fully opened

 

[Jadnashua]

Look up the specs of each of the heads. Then, compare that to the specs on the valve you have. If the valve's max outlet is less than the heads...that's your problem.