With many parts making up a home’s plumbing system, some sections may be affected when issues arise while others remain functional and unaffected. Therefore, you may find no water in shower but sinks are fine, and you wonder whether you have a severe plumbing problem or just a temporary glitch.
You don’t have water in your shower, but the sinks are fine, likely because of a faulty cartridge or valve, clogged showerhead, pressure imbalance, airlock, or burst/ frozen pipes. It could also happen due to water heater issues, a closed shut-off valve, or a blocked diverter or shower pipe.
The causes of this issue are diverse, ranging from simple to more severe problems. However, you won’t know until you troubleshoot it.
In that case, let’s explore these causes and solutions.
No Water In Shower But Sinks Are Fine (Causes & Fixes!)
| Problem | Possible Causes | Recommended Fixes | |
| 1. | Clogged Showerhead | Debris (dirt, mineral deposits) accumulation | Soak the showerhead in vinegar and water solution, then brush the debris with a small brush |
| 2. | Faulty Diverter Valve | Wear and tear Corrosion High water pressure Incorrect installation | Clean or replace the diverter valve |
| 3. | Damaged Cartridge | Wear and tear Poor installation Mineral buildup Corrosion | Clean the cartridge to remove mineral and debris buildup Reinstall or replace the cartridge |
| 4. | Damaged Pipes | Wear Loose connections Corrosion Clogging Poor installation | Unclog the pipes Replace the corroded parts Tighten or replace loose connections Adjust or replace the pipe system |
| 5. | Frozen Pipes | Cold season | Thaw the frozen sections of the pipes using a heat gun or hairdryer |
| 6. | Airlock | Trapped air Poor pipe installation or design Water pressure changes Pipe damage | Create a sudden water surge Push water into the affected pipe from a higher point using a hosepipe Take out the showerhead, then run your shower for a couple of minutes Bleed the radiators |
| 7. | Water Pressure Imbalance | Clogged pipe or showerhead Faulty valve Malfunctioning pump Damaged pressure regulator Plumbing system leak | Unclog the pipe or showerhead Replace the faulty valve Replace the damaged pump or pressure regulator Fix or replace the leaky parts |
| 8. | Water Heater Issues | Sediment buildup Malfunctioning dip tube Faulty thermostats or heating elements | Clean the tank Replace the dip tube Replace the defective heating elements |
1. Clogged Showerhead
Over time, debris can accumulate in your showerhead’s small openings and pores. The debris buildup narrows the passageways through which the water flows, reducing the water pressure and eventually causing the water to stop flowing altogether.
Fix
Fill a bowl or bucket with white vinegar and water (use equal parts), then submerge your showerhead in the solution. Leave the showerhead to soak for a minimum of one hour and even longer, up to overnight, in the case of a severe blockage.
Afterward, remove the showerhead from the solution, then scrub away any remaining residue with a small brush or toothbrush.
You can also remove the debris with a commercial cleaner instead of a vinegar solution. In addition, replace your showerhead if it’s damaged beyond repair.
2. Faulty Diverter Valve
A diverter valve controls water flow between your bathtub spout and showerhead. Due to this valve, water flows out of your showerhead when you turn the shower faucet, while water flows from your tub spout when you turn on the bathtub faucet.
However, a faulty diverter valve may fail to direct water flow properly, blocking water from flowing out of the showerhead. For example, the valve may become stuck in the bathtub position, preventing water from flowing out of the showerhead even if you turn on the shower knob.
Moreover, a faulty diverter valve can cause water to flow from the showerhead and bathtub spout simultaneously. This reduces the water pressure, making getting a good shower difficult.
Diverter valve causes can happen due to corrosion, stress caused by high water pressure, wear, mineral buildup, or incorrect installation.
Fix
Clean the diverter valve or replace it.
3. Damaged Cartridge
The cartridge inside your shower faucet handle has a valve that opens and closes to control water flow. When you turn on the shower handle, the cartridge opens to allow water to flow through the faucet and out of the showerhead.
However, the cartridge may not open or close properly if damaged or worn, causing water to flow with reduced water pressure or stop flowing altogether. Cartridge damage can occur due to wear and tear, poor installation, mineral buildup, or corrosion.
Fix
- Reinstall the shower cartridge if incorrectly installed. Make sure you correctly align the hot and cold sides.
- Clean the cartridge to remove buildup. Soak it in vinegar water solution or a commercial cleaner.
- Replace the shower cartridge.
4. Broken Pipes
Shower supply pipes ensure water flows from the primary water supply to your showerhead. Water will flow uninterrupted if the pipes are in good condition; however, damaged or clogged pipes can obstruct or restrict water flow to your shower while the sinks continue working.
Corrosion from exposure to water and chemicals, among other substances, can make the pipes weak, leaky, or even collapse. Additionally, clogs caused by debris accumulation like dirt, soap, and hair will reduce water pressure and restrict water flow.
Moreover, shower supply damage can happen when pipes freeze and expand during colder seasons, causing cracks or ruptures. Also, if you install pipes of the wrong size or do the installation incorrectly, you may damage the pipes or restrict water flow.
Fix
- Unclog your shower supply pipes using a drain snake, a pipe cleaning solution. Alternatively, hire a plumber for extensive clogging.
- Replace the corroded pipe sections.
- Thaw the frozen sections of the pipes using a heat gun or hairdryer. Furthermore, it would be best to wrap the pipes with insulation to keep them from freezing in the future.
- Tighten loose connections using a wrench. If the leaks persist, replace the faulty connections.
- Adjust your pipe system if poorly installed, or install a new system as a whole.
5. Airlock
An airlock refers to a trapped air pocket that prevents water from flowing through the pipes. It can occur in any plumbing system, including your shower, reducing or stopping water flow.
Various factors cause airlocks. These include poor pipe installation or design, changes in water pressure, trapped air in the system, or pipe damage.
They are more likely to occur in pipes located at higher points in the system, such as upstairs bathrooms or loft spaces. In the shower, an airlock can keep water from flowing out of the showerhead by creating an air pocket in the pipes that prevent water from passing through.
When this happens, you may notice reduced or no water flow.
Fix
Before attempting any repairs, turn off your shower’s water supply to curb flooding or further damage. After that:
a) Locate The Airlock
As mentioned, an airlock is typically located at your plumbing system’s highest point. Therefore, it could be the loft or roof space if you have an upstairs bathroom or in the basement for a downstairs bathroom.
b) Release The Airlock
Turn on every tap in your house to create a sudden water surge, or push water into the affected pipe from a higher point using a hosepipe. Alternatively, remove the showerhead and run the water for a few minutes to see if the air works its way out.
c) Bleed The Radiators
If you have your shower on the same system as your central heating, bleed the radiators to release any trapped air.
6. Water Pressure Imbalance
Your plumbing system can suffer water pressure imbalance due to various reasons. These include a clogged pipe, a plumbing system leak, a malfunctioning pressure regulator, a faulty pump, or a faulty valve.
An imbalance in water pressure can affect water flow differently in various parts of your house. This can create a situation where no water is in the shower, but the sinks are fine.
This can happen because different water lines may feed the shower and sink, and the water pressure in each line might differ. Therefore, if there’s low water pressure in the line leading to the shower, it may not be enough to push the water through the showerhead, while the sink may still receive enough water to function properly.
Additionally, the showerhead may be more sensitive to water pressure changes compared to the sink faucet. Moreover, partially clogged shower pipes can lead to low water pressure as the amount of water that will be able to pass through will be reduced.
Fix
Clean the showerhead to remove any mineral buildup causing the clog. If that doesn’t work, check the water pressure regulator, then repair or replace it.
Also, ensure the valve leading to your shower is fully open because a partially closed valve causes reduced pressure. It would also be best to replace a faulty water pump.
If these solutions fail, call a professional plumber to diagnose and correct underlying issues in your plumbing system. An expert will be able to make sure you have a balanced water pressure throughout your house, allowing for a consistent water flow to all fixtures.
7. Water Heater Issues
An issue with your water heater could be the reason for no water in shower but sinks are fine. Sediment can accumulate in your water heater tank’s bottom from continuous use, clogging the hot water pipes leading to the shower.
While this will reduce the flow of hot water, the sinks may still work fine since they use both hot and cold water.
On the other hand, a broken or malfunctioning dip tube may cause cold and hot water at the tank’s top to mix, reducing the flow of hot water to your shower. A dip tube, a plastic tube that runs from the cold water inlet to the water heater tank’s bottom, helps direct the cold water entering the tank to the bottom for heating.
Moreover, faulty thermostats or heating elements inside the water heater will prevent water from heating up correctly.
Fix
- Drain and flush the water heater tank to eliminate sediment buildup.
- Replace a broken dip tube or thermostat.
- Replace the damaged heating elements.
Final Remarks On No Water In Shower But Sinks Are Fine
If the water stops flowing from your shower, examine different plumbing fixtures like the showerhead and shower valve for damage. Ensure you perform any repairs and replacements correctly to restore water flow and prevent future problems.
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