Many Kannur apartments and older houses run at 0.3–0.5 bar. You can still get a satisfying shower—if you choose hardware that works with your pressure, not against it. Here’s a simple guide to pick right the first time.
Step 1: Quick pressure reality check (no tools needed)
- Open your current hand shower fully.
- If the spray feels weak beyond ~30–40 cm, treat it as low pressure.
- Long pipe runs, thin lines or distant geysers also point to low pressure.
(For a precise reading, your plumber can test with a gauge—but you don’t need one just to shortlist products.)
Step 2: Pick hardware that helps—not fights—low pressure
- Overhead size: Choose 6–8 inch rain heads. Very large 10–12″ heads need more pressure.
- Spray type: Look for air-mix/aerated or focused multi-mode sprays on hand showers—they feel fuller at low pressure.
- Hand showers: Excellent at low pressure. A multi-mode hand shower lets you switch to a tighter, stronger spray.
- Mixers & diverters: Quality ceramic cartridges reduce internal friction and feel smoother.
- Routing: Keep elbows and long loops to a minimum—every bend steals pressure.
Step 3: Match with your water heater
Low pressure plus instant geysers can give lukewarm showers. For multi-person routines, consider a 10–15 L storage heater so temperature and flow stay consistent.
Real-world combos that work
- Apartment, single bathroom: 6–8″ overhead + 2-mode hand shower on slide rail + single-lever mixer.
- Family home: 8″ overhead + 3-way diverter (overhead/hand/jet) + storage geyser sized to usage.
- Guest/elderly bath: Skip a large overhead; choose a good hand shower with easy grip and height adjustment.
What to avoid at low pressure
- Oversized overheads (10–12″) that mist instead of showering.
- Long diverter chains with multiple elbows.
- Cheap cartridges that stiffen and choke flow over time.
How we help you choose
- Shortlisting heads/hand showers engineered for low pressure (from our authorised brands).
- Checking cartridge quality, spray plate design and spec sheets for minimum working pressure.
- Matching your heater capacity and pipe layout to the set you select.
Bring a short video of your current shower or describe your setup on WhatsApp—we’ll guide you to a confident pick.
Q1. Should I remove the flow restrictor?
Not recommended—choose a head designed for low pressure. Removing parts can void warranties.
Q2. Will a booster pump fix everything?
It helps, but sizing and plumbing layout matter. We’ll advise if it’s worth it for your home.
Q3. Can I keep my large overhead?
Only if your pressure supports it. Otherwise, pair it with a strong multi-mode hand shower and use that daily.