here's the deal...I'm avoiding calling the landlord because when he has to fix something he likes to talk about raising the rent, so if it's something simple I do myself or Dad helps me

so

the water pressure is fine everywhere and no water is running outside

but the pressure in the showerhead has gone to pot over the last week or two

the water pressure in the tub faucet is also normal

so is it the showerhead or the knob thingy to that turns the showerhead on?

take the shower head off, soak in plain vinegar overnight, put the shower head back on in the morning and you will be amazed at the pressure you get. btw, run some water through the shower head before you get in to take a shower!!!!

Screw the shower-head of and turn it back on to see if the water flow/pressure is good. If it is, clean the shower head out or replace it. They get clogged/deteriorate over time, particularly in hard water. How old is it?

Is the diverter valve leaking? If you have a three valve shower, it's the handle in the center. If you have a two valve or single-valve (delta ball valve) it's the lever on the top of the spigot.

If not, take the shower head off and bang it out and back-flush it by running high pressure water into it from the discharge side. You will have to use your hands to cup a seal or take it outside and press a garden hose up to it and blast it. This should hopefully remove any loose scale that has accumulated.

If there is a filter screen on the inlet of the showerhead, that could be the problem too.

While you have the showerhead off, run water through the shower pipe - make sure scale isn't comming out and that you have good flow.

Lastly, the vinegar sugguestion presented above might work, although for it to plug up that quickly, it'w probably a loose/floating obstruction/restriction rather than a buildup of lime/calcium/scale. One thing about the vinegar soak to be aware of is that it might damage the chrome finish on the showerhead. Alternately, you could squirt some CLR (Calcium, Lime, Rust) remover into the showerhead from the inlet side, then let it sit and then run water through it.

just showwer outside with the hose

I come over and hold the hose for ya

see I knew you guys would know

you are awesome!

it's the 3 valve with hot shower cold knobs you turn

the showerhead is either over 8 years old or 7 years old...if it was replaced after I moved here and I forgot it was 7 years ago

TG- thanks for the tip about the chrome...good for future knowledge...this is a cheap-o fixture run-down home so it won't matter here LOL

thanks all...I'll let you know what happens

are you not a little to young to have plumbing problems ?

If it dont work out

option 5 is still open

LOL

TG, I agree it's not going to build up that fast, but my experience has been it happens slowly over a long period of time until one day you realize the pressure is terrible, has always worked soaking in vinegar and it seemed like the easiest first try...

nice try, Prop

ahhaha

Take the shower head off your goose neck coming from the wall and check to see if you have any debris in the head screen gasket. Your hot and cold valve has a small black rubber washer that over time may crack and fall apart and winds up clogging the wire screen in your shower head. Or #2 or #3 would probable help as well, wash out all the scale buildup from our AZ hard water.

ecr

RE #9

Good point.

thanks, ecr

I think it is the buildup 'cause I can't even unscrew it LOL

Do you need explanations for a wrench or pliers to?

^

Do you need explanations on the difference between to, too and two?

(sorry Robert, couldn't resist... LOL)

hardee har har, rfenst

I know the difference...I even know what a lock wrench is oooooh

Erica

WTH is a LOCK WRENCH??????

Ron

http://www.sz-wholesale.com/uploadFiles/060629153331s.jpg 

WB- ahahahhahahhah

maybe you call it something else?

UMMMMMMM yes sweety....................those would be VISE GRIPS.LMAO

Ron

lots of good help here--none of it wrong.

Lluvia, you live in the desert, and most surely are buying water from a municipality which has mandated 'water-saving' (flow restricting) devices on all plumbing fixtures.

Your most likely problem is the flow restrictor located just inside the threaded end of the showerhead. It is a piece of white plastic with small holes, and is probably plugged with sand and mineral deposits. Just pull it out and throw it away, re-install head, and check for success. Or, go buy a new showerhead (they start at 8-10 bucks).

Caveat: to confirm the showerhead/flow restrictor is the problem, turn shower on with the head removed. If you have great flow, it is the flow restrictor or shower head. If not, you probably have a blockage at the diverter valve--if so, you need a reasonably skilled person for repair.