RV showers are notorious for having weak water pressure, which often leads to a trickle of water coming out of the shower head. While some people may find this frustrating, there are several possible causes and fixes for this issue. So what is really going on with your shower?
In most cases, a trickling showerhead can happen because of either:
- the wrong water pressure
- a water filter that has accumulated debris and dust
- the aerator is clogged by deposits
- the seals are damaged over time
- there is normal damage due to wear and tear
In this article, we will take a look at each one of these issues, and understand how you can remedy them with just a few steps. By understanding why your RV shower has low water pressure, you can work on solving the problem and enjoy a refreshing shower experience once again!
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Why Your RV Showerhead May Be Trickling
There are many things that can cause your RV showerhead to trickle, and several reasons why you may have this issue. Whether you have an issue resulting from maintenance or the product itself is the root cause, there are simple ways to fix it, which will take very little time to do so.
Here’s an interesting video on renovating an RV shower:
Let’s take a look at some common issues and what you can do to fix each one.
Improper Water Pressure
If you have no water pressure at all, your shower head will not be able to produce any water flow from it (unless you know a trick to get water to flow from it anyway). However, if you have low water pressure your shower head may trickle as a result.
If this is your situation, check the valve behind your faucet and see if it is open. If not, adjust according to the setting that works best for you. If the valve is already open as far as it can go, consider cleaning it out by soaking it in vinegar overnight and rinsing it with warm water. If nothing else works, replace the valve.
Dirty Water Filter
Another common cause of trickling RV showerheads is a dirty water filter. If filtration isn’t working properly or if the filter is clogged with waste, sediment, or debris, your showerhead will be unable to produce the pressure it needs to create a consistent flow.
In this case, you can easily fix your problem by replacing the water filter with a new one and see what happens following that. You can also use vinegar if you want to clean out your existing filter instead of switching it out for a brand-new one as well. Both methods should fix your issue in no time at all, provided they are done correctly.
Clogged Aerator
Sometimes an RV showerhead might have a clog in it, which prevents good flow from getting through. This can be the result of lime deposits, dirt or debris build-up, rust, and much more.
To fix this issue, you can flush out your showerhead by removing it from its holder and attaching a hose to it instead. Then turn on your water spigot until the water flow is strong enough to flush out all of the waste that may be clogging it. Once this is done, replace your showerhead back over your faucet in its original position.
Leaky Seals
If you have one or several seals around any part of your RV plumbing that is not properly lubricated, they may start to leak or start to wear down. This can cause rapid water pressure loss in your shower as well, which will trickle it instead of producing a good flow each time you use it.
To fix this issue, lubricate the seals with a small amount of plumber’s grease and try using your RV shower again to see if that fixes the problem. However, if this is not the problem, then you may be looking at a more serious issue.
Severe Damage
If your RV shower is leaking due to a more serious issue, such as damage to the actual plumbing unit, then you will have no choice but to replace it altogether.
Fixing this type of problem can be done by scheduling an appointment with a professional plumber who should be able to handle it for you and get the job done in one day or less (if required). This definitely isn’t the most convenient way to handle things, but sometimes unavoidable circumstances occur.
The Bottom Line
Hopefully, these tips will help you fix your RV showerhead if it has been trickling on/off for some time now. Each method listed can help solve issues at home. However, suppose you do not feel comfortable doing any of these fixes yourself. In that case, it is highly recommended that you contact a professional plumber to get things fixed for you instead.
How To Get A RV Shower Head Increase Water Pressure
If you feel like your RV shower isn’t providing you with enough water pressure or that the water seems to be just trickling out of the showerhead instead of gushing, it might be time to invest in a new RV showerhead.
There are many different types of RV shower heads on the market, and you can choose one that best suits your needs. If you are looking for strong water pressure, look for a shower head with multiple spray settings. This way, when you need a strong jet of water to get clean quickly, you can achieve it without wasting any extra water.
Other people prefer a softer or more relaxing stream of water—if this sounds like you, choose a shower head that offers extra massage settings. These options essentially turn your shower into a mini-spa experience and can be great if you have any sore muscles after exploring the trails around your campsite that day.
Final Thoughts
If you are facing a trickling or leaky RV showerhead, there are several things you can do to get it back in working order. These fixes will help you solve issues if they are minor and can be handled at home.
If none of these tips resolve your issue, contact a professional plumber for help. They will be able to fix any serious damage and restore your RV’s plumbing system to its former glory.