Low water pressure in shower only — Alicante, Valencian Community
When water pressure drops in only one shower while the rest of the house has normal pressure, the problem is almost always isolated to that fixture rather than the home's main supply. The most common culprit is a clogged showerhead — mineral deposits from hard water build up in the small spray holes and on the internal flow restrictor. Unscrew the showerhead and soak it overnight in white vinegar, then scrub the holes with an old toothbrush. If pressure improves but is still weak, the flow restrictor inside (a small plastic disc) may need cleaning or replacing. The next suspect is the shower valve cartridge — these contain small ports that clog with sediment, especially after city water main repairs that stir up debris. Cartridge replacement is a 30-minute job for a plumber and runs $150–$350 including parts. Single-handle thermostatic valves have additional check valves and filters that may need cleaning. If multiple fixtures lose pressure simultaneously, the issue is the main pressure regulator and you need a plumber to test and replace it.
Waarom dit veel voorkomt in Alicante
Alicante's rapid post-Franco construction boom produced large amounts of housing with PVC and copper plumbing that is now 40–50 years old and prone to joint failure. The city's hard calcareous Mediterranean water causes severe limescale buildup in water heaters and boilers, requiring more frequent descaling than inland Spain. Sea-facing properties experience salt corrosion in exposed copper fittings and valve bodies.
Who to call
For this problem in Alicante, call a: Loodgieter
Vind een Loodgieter in AlicanteSymptoms to look for
- Weak or trickling spray from shower head
- Other faucets in the house have normal pressure
- Visible white scale on shower head nozzles
- Pressure improves briefly after cleaning the head
Spoeddienst in Alicante
Emergency home services in Alicante are available 24/7 with typical response times of 30–60 minutes. Emergency plumbing and electrical calls cost €50–€120 for the callout plus €30–€55/hour including IVA. Always confirm the provider holds a current certificado de instalador autorizado registered with the GVA.