Yeah, vinegar flushes are okay as a quick fix, but they're rarely a permanent solution, especially if your area's got really hard water. Whole-house filters definitely help—just make sure to swap out cartridges regularly, or you might see pressure dropping again sooner than you'd think.
I've had similar issues with hard water in my area, and honestly, vinegar flushes only bought me temporary relief. Eventually, I bit the bullet and installed a whole-house filter system myself. It wasn't as expensive as I thought it'd be, especially if you're handy enough to DIY most of it. The key is definitely regular maintenance—changing filters on schedule is crucial. But even then, I noticed the pressure sometimes still fluctuates slightly depending on the time of day or how many fixtures are running simultaneously.
Have you checked your home's pressure regulator valve lately? Sometimes those valves can degrade over time or get clogged up, and it's an easy thing to overlook. Mine was partially clogged with sediment once, and cleaning it out made a noticeable improvement. Might be worth a quick inspection before investing further into filtration upgrades...
Good call on the pressure regulator valve—I overlooked mine for years until tenants started complaining about showers going from Niagara Falls to sad drizzle mid-shampoo. Turns out the valve was clogged with sediment and pretty worn out. If you're checking it yourself, shut off the main water first (trust me on this...), then carefully remove and clean the valve. If it looks sketchy or corroded, just replace it—they're not pricey, and it's worth the peace of mind.
Did you notice any improvement in water flow after replacing the valve? I've been debating whether cleaning mine is enough or if I should just bite the bullet and replace it altogether... budget's tight, but shower roulette isn't fun either.
Replacing the valve usually makes a noticeable difference, especially if yours is older or heavily clogged. Cleaning can help temporarily, but honestly, it's like putting a band-aid on a leaky pipe—works for a bit, but you'll probably end up dealing with it again sooner rather than later. I replaced mine last year after months of shower roulette (great term by the way, haha), and the improvement was immediate. Did you check if your pipes have any sediment buildup too? That can really mess with your pressure even after replacing valves...
