Saving water is one of the essential parts of a shower head. While taking a shower, most of the customers often forget about water saving and keep the shower head running while shampooing their hair or scrubbing their foot.
At the end of the month, they get overburdened with their water bill. To mitigate this issue once and for all, shower head companies have come up with an exclusive feature for a water restrictor or flow restrictor.
The functionality of this feature is restricting the flow of water just by pressing one switch. A considerable amount of water is saved, and customers witness the difference in their water bill.
Not only that, but the restrictors also make sure that the shower head must not produce 2.5 gallons of water per minute. But, when there is an advantage of a feature, there is a drawback associated with it.
If you are one of those unfortunate customers who face low water pressure in your locality, a flow restrictor can ruin your showering experience.
It is not always about getting an exotic experience while showering, but a low water pressure problem is indeed irritating. Most of the customers often ask how to remove a flow restrictor from the shower head?
How To Remove Flow Restrictor From Shower Head
We have come up with a basic guide describing every step in detail. Following these steps will make the process easier for you.
Here is a step-by-step guide for you that can help you remove a flow restrictor from your shower head to get the high pressure of water.
Spare 10 minutes of your precious time with us, and you do not have to call a plumber to get the work done.
How Is Flow Restrictor Designed?
A flow restrictor is generally made up of plastic and looks like a circular star-shaped metal. In a fixed overhead shower, it is faced behind the edge of the valve, and in the handheld shower head, you will find the restrictor at the edge of the handle.
You can see the manual to understand how to use your flow restrictor.
Things You Need to Keep Handy
Before you start with the process, you must keep some of the tools handy. These tools will allow you to complete the work with ease. Remember, without these tools, your process will not be completed.
- Adjustable wrench
- Paper clip
- Plumber’s tape
- Screwdrivers
- Needle-nose pliers
- Clean towel or cloth
When you bring all these tools handy, your removal process will begin. Read this guide and get your answer on how to remove a flow restrictor from the shower head.
Removing the Flow Restrictor from the Fixed Shower head
- Disconnecting the shower head from the shower arm
You need to unscrew the shower arm if you wish to remove it from the arm pipe. You can do it by your hand, but you can also use a wrench if you think it is too difficult.
- Wrap a cloth around the shower head in order to protect the finishing of the shower head.
- Before using the wrench to open the shower arm, make sure you have secured the nut.
- You need to turn the shower head anti-clockwise to unscrew it.
Removing the Shower Screen
If your shower head has a shower screen to prevent hard water deposits and sediments from accumulating inside, you need to remove the shower screen from the inside. You can just gently tap on the shower head to remove it, or a needle-nose plier will be of much help.
O-Ring Gasket Removal
There is a rubber o-ring gasket inside every shower head. You need to remove it if you wish to remove the flow restrictor. Take a paper clip to unbend it.
Dismantle Your Flow Restrictor
As all the steps are done, you can easily remove your flow restrictor from the shower head. After removing the gasket, you will be able to see a metal restrictor placed inside the plastic ring.
Use a paper clip to unbend the flow restrictor. You just have to twist it and pry it to ensure easy removal. If a paperclip doesn’t work well, use a screwdriver or a needle-nose plier.
Removing Your Flow Restrictor from Embedded Shower head
Scroll down to know the details about removing a flow restrictor from your shower head. These steps will make sure that you do not face any hurdle while removing the shower head, and also, the process remains simple.
Step 1: The removal of the head
The arm pipe and shower arm, along with the connector nut stick on your bathroom wall. Before removing the head, you have to cover the pipe and the nut with a clean rag or a cloth.
This will ensure that your chrome finished shower head does not get any scratches while removing the restrictor. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the connector nut. Until the head is removed from the shower arm, twist the connector with the wrench.
Step 2: Restrictor Extraction
To see the restrictor, you have to remove the washer and the shower screen placed inside it. You have to take out the washer by using the needle-nose pliers. Tap the bottom to take the restrictor out, no need to use the plier at that time.
Step 3: Setting up the shower head
After removing the flow restrictor, you have to reset the shower head too. The first thing you need to do is, setting the shower screen inside the shower head again.
Push the washer with your finger to its original position. You can take out the old Teflon tape from linear grooves and again wrap fresh tapes in it.
After securing the connector nut tightly, again put the rag to avoid scratch. Now, tighten the shower arm in the clockwise direction to get it fixed.
Removing the restrictor from a handheld shower
Handheld shower heads are apparently easy to handle than an overhead shower. By following the below-discussed steps, you can easily remove the flow restrictor.
Step 1: Find the water restrictor.
You need to find out the water restrictor first when you wish to remove it. This is because the flow restrictor’s placement in the handheld shower is different from the overhead shower.
In a handheld shower, the flow restrictor’s usual placement is inside the attached holder near the shower arm. You can also find it at the end of the handle, where the flexible tubing is located.
The position of the flow restrictor varies from brand to brand. You can follow the manual that comes with the product to know it.
Step 2: Extracting the Restrictor
Protect the nut with a clean rag or cloth. You need to hold the covered nut tightly and use an adjustable plier to rotate it in an anticlockwise direction. It will help to take out the handle from the tubing.
You need to pry out the washers and the filter screen from the handheld shower. Once you do that, you will find an exposed flow restrictor with a flat head. Rotate the restrictor with a screwdriver, and it will slowly come out of the tube.
Step 3: Reassemble the Handheld Shower
Once removing the flow restrictor is done, you have to assemble the product by usually pushing the washer and the filter screen inside it. Again, fix the connector nut by pushing it clockwise using an adjustable wrench. Do not forget to wrap the shower head with a cloth.
3 Different Method of Removing Flow Restrictor from Handheld Shower
The flow restrictor’s location decides the steps that you ought to take while removing the flow restrictor. Here are the steps described in detail.
When the restrictor is placed in the handle
- You have to unscrew the handle by covering the nut with a rag using a wrench.
- Remove the materials inside the handle like the washer and filter screen. Then replace the handle.
When the restrictor is in the hose
- You have to remove the holder from the top of the hose to access the flow restrictor.
- You can also replace the old plumber’s tape with new ones when you remove the water restrictor.
When the restrictor is behind the shower
- Similarly, you can use the wrench to open the nut and take out the washer and shower screen.
- Follow the same steps given above to take out the restrictor and again to reassemble the shower.
How to Increase the Water Flow after Taking Out the Restrictor?
Once you have removed the restrictor, you can now enjoy the high-pressure water while showering. However, if you find that there is no enough flow even after removing the flow restrictor, you can open the shower head and let it soak in a solution of vinegar and water overnight.
This will help break down the sediment particles and rust from the shower head and ensure an unhindered water flow for sure. In addition to it, you should also keep in mind that your water and energy bill will eventually increase if you do not at least restrict the water flow manually.
Quick Tips to Keep in Mind While Implementing the Steps
Be very careful before removing the O-ring gasket. If it is broken, you have to replace it, and that will be an expensive affair.
Using a screwdriver for taking out the flow restrictor is easier than using a paperclip.
Cleaning is important for using the shower screen the best way. Before reattaching the shower, use a clean cloth to remove the gunk. You can also use vinegar to get it cleaned. This will allow you to get a smooth flow of water.
You can lubricate the o-ring gasket to remove the rust particle. This will allow a smooth and prolonged performance of the shower head.
Some of the shower heads have more than one flow restrictor. It is wise to check the product manual to find out.
Do not forget to use the tools carefully to avoid any accidents from taking place.
Few Words Before Wrapping Up…
As your flow restrictors play a significant role in reducing your utility and water bill, using them is always preferable. But, if you have a low water pressure problem, it would be tough to enjoy the exotic showering experience that you have always craved for.
It is always good to do your research well before buying a shower head. If you go for a high-pressure shower head that can solve the issue of low water pressure, you do not have to remove the flow restrictor. Then, there will be no point in asking how to remove a flow restrictor shower head.
We hope that this guide is helpful for you and you will implement the steps the right way. Once you do that, you will never have to encounter the low water pressure.
Get ready to implement the steps now. Do not forget to share your thoughts with us after getting the utmost success in the process.
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