5 Reasons Your Shower Might Not Be Running Properly (and what you can do about it!)

Did you know the average household in the United States loses around 10,000 gallons of water because of leaks a year?! That's a lot of water loss. Leaks can also lead to daily water waste, resulting in water losses equaling 1-2 people's water usage over an entire year. Many of these leaks can occur in the showers, and there are several reasons for them -- as well as other reasons why your shower might not be functioning the way you want it to. Read on for the most common reasons for shower malfunction! 

1. Leaks in the Water Tank or Supply Lines

The bigger the leaks, the more water you waste, and the higher your water bills will be.

As if that’s not enough, your water pressure and flow will also suffer. More water may be flowing out of the leaks than water making it to your shower. In this case, you’ll only see water trickling out of the showerhead or faucet, or worse, not see any water at all.

Aside from obvious leaks in showerheads and taps, the water heater tank may also be leaking. Inspect your tank for dripping water as well as the surrounding area for pooled up water. If there’s biological growth (such as mold and algae), you likely have a leaking tank.

As soon as you notice these signs, get in touch with a licensed Utah plumber ASAP.

2. Water Heater Equipment Issues

In many cases, the malfunction of your shower is directly connected with your water heater and the different pieces of it. One of these can include the anode rod, which protects internal parts of a water heater from corrosion. The anode rod itself, because it's keeping the other parts from corrosion, will age more quickly than the rest of the tank. Because many people don't know this, corroded anode nods are commonly left without being replaced. Your heater will start to fail and malfunction the longer a wasted anode rod stays in the tank. If you notice a foul odor to your shower water, rust-colored water, or fluctuating water temperatures, you may have an aged anode rod and it will be worthwhile to have a licensed plumber come out and take a look.

3. Clogged Water Tank

If you have a lot of hard water, hard water buildup can lead to a buildup of minerals like magnesium and calcium, which can settle at the bottom of the tank and cause clogging and other problems. The internal surfaces of the shower pipes can also create buildup and lead to, leading to more blockages.

You'll likely notice a clog if you have low water pressure in the shower. Our licensed water heater repair technicians can help clear away these clogs and buildups, or you should also consider installing a water softener to help prevent future blogs.

4. A Faulty Shower Valve

A broken shower valve can also cause a shower to not be working properly. The valve is the component that helps with mixing hot and cold water and directing it to the showerhead or faucet.

If you're having issues with your shower not turning on or not pumping either hot or cold water, it's likely because of a broken valve. There are many reasons for this, but the best way to diagnose it is to have a licensed plumber come take a look at everything.

5. No Source of Heating Energy

If you’re not getting any hot water, but the water pressure is fine, you likely have no power. The source of power depends on whether you have an electric or gas water heater.

In electric water heaters, having no hot water can happen due to a tripped circuit breaker or a blown fuse. If it’s the former, simply reset the breaker switch by sliding it back to the “ON” position. If it’s a blown fuse, call a water heater repair technician to have the damaged fuse replaced.

If you have a gas water heater and you’re not getting any hot water, you likely ran out of gas. Check the gas tank meter to see if it’s low or empty. If there’s still gas in it, then the heater’s pilot light or burners may have gone out and you can try to get it back on. If that still doesn't work, it's time to call us!