Where is the restrictor in a shower head

If you have a flow restrictor in your showerhead, then you are using less water for your bathtimes. According to experts, these devices reduce the water flow from your showerhead to 2. Although this is a great idea, the restrictor can become a shower time nightmare, particularly in areas with low water pressure. Here, these items turn an ideal shower spray to an annoying trickle of water, making it difficult to rinse your body.

You can take out the flow restrictor to solve this problem, but you might have to pay more for your utility bills. Are you willing to spend the extra cash?

Here are easy steps to remove flow restrictor from shower head fittings. Many homes have this type of shower head. With these steps, you can handle extract the restrictor with ease. Locate the bent pipe or shower arm and connector nut that sticks out of your bathroom wall.

Wrap both parts with a clean rag to protect them from scratches. Hold the arm firmly with a pipe wrench and loosen the connector nut with an adjustable wrench. Loosen until the head is removed from the shower arm. Look for the washer inside the connector nut. Here this item offers a tight seal and secures a mesh filter or screen.

Normally, both items have to be extracted before you can see the restrictor. Gently take out the washer with needle-nose pliers. Remove the screen by tapping the bottom of the head with your palms. If the screen is stuck, use the pliers to remove the item. Pull out the flow restrictor with a flat-head screwdriver. Return the screen to its original position.

Fix the washer and push it with your fingers to prevent it from falling off. Take out the existing Teflon tape from the linear grooves on the shower arm.

Wrap fresh tape around the threads in a clockwise direction. Secure the connector nut by tightening it with your hands. When the nut is firmly placed, wrap a rag around the nut and arm, then grab the arm with the pipe wrench.

Use the adjustable wrench to turn the nut. Handheld shower heads are quite popular with homeowners. The tips below will help you take out their water restrictor within minutes. Usually, the water restrictor is found inside the holder attached to the shower arm, or the end of the handle that connects to the flexible tubing. However, the position of the restrictor depends on its brand. If you have a product with its showerhead at the bottom of the handle, protect the connector nut with a clean rag.

Firmly hold the covered nut with adjustable pliers and rotate counterclockwise to take out the handle from the tubing. Pry the washer out of the handle and filter screen with needle-nose pliers.

Pull out the exposed restrictor with a flat head screwdriver. If you have a product with a restrictor inside the holder, protect the connector and shower arm with a clean rag. Firmly hold the arm with a pipe wrench while you use the adjustable pliers to hold the nut.

Rotate the nut with clockwise movements until the holders drop from the shower arm. Move to the end of the holder, then pull out the washer, and filter screen with needle-nose pliers.

Remove the restrictor with a flat head screwdriver. Return the filter screen and washer to their original position on the fixture. Ensure you push in the washer with your fingers. Take out any previous tape which form the linear grooves on the flexible tubing or shower arm. Cover the threads in fresh tape. Tighten the connector with your hands and wrap the nut with a rag. Secure the nut another quarter turn with an adjustable wrench.

Do you use a Moen showerhead? Here are is an easy way to take out the restrictor in this fixture and enjoy a strong shower spray. Wrap the showerhead with a clean rag and tighten the jaws with an adjustable wrench. Hold the shower pipe the part closest to the bathroom wall with one hand and rotate the showerhead connector with an adjustable wrench. The flow restrictor is usually blue or green, sets inside the fixture, and is easy to access.

Often times it has a couple of tabs that can be grabbed with a pair of needle-nose pliers. Grab the tabis give it a tug, and the restrictor pops out. Check it for debris. Sometimes the holes get plugged up with dirt and need to be cleaned.

Whether you reinstall the device is entirely up to you! Of course, if after removing the flow restrictor, you find that the water pressure is still low, then you have another problem entirely. Many factors can contribute to low water pressure.

If you live in a home with bad water pressure, this makes things even worse. If your showerhead does not come with instructions on how to remove the restrictor valve, here are some tips:.

The flow restrictors are often found near the end of the hoses attached to the showerheads. Check for them first when replacing an old showerhead.

Some manufacturers put the flow restrictor directly onto the showerhead itself. In these cases, look for the hole through which the hose goes. When installing a new showerhead , make sure the holes in the flow restrictor line up correctly with those in the existing showerhead.

Disconnect the hose at the handle end first. Then unscrew the top half of the showerhead. The restrictor should come off easily. First, unplug the power supply cord. Next, loosen the screws holding the body together.

Now, gently lift the restrictor out. Replace restrictor: Follow step 3 above to reassemble the restrictor onto the hose. Connect hoses: Connect the hose to the wall outlet first, then connect the hose to the showerhead. Most modern showers will include one.