{"id":292,"date":"2022-06-13T19:43:29","date_gmt":"2022-06-13T19:43:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lavatorylab.com\/?p=292"},"modified":"2023-03-30T09:20:54","modified_gmt":"2023-03-30T14:20:54","slug":"what-is-a-flow-restrictor-in-a-shower-head","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lavatorylab.com\/shower-arm\/what-is-a-flow-restrictor-in-a-shower-head\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s a Flow Restrictor in a Shower Head? (And How to Remove It)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With the passage of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1992<\/a>, all shower heads made after January 1, 1994, must have a flow rate of no more than 2.5 gallons per minute (source<\/a> – pg. 13).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To comply with this federal law, many manufacturers install flow restrictors in shower heads. A flow restrictor is a small disk with a hole in the center that limits the amount of water flowing through the shower head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, some showers may have an additional flow restrictor that rests between the shower head and arm. Commercial buildings, apartment buildings, and more may install a flow restrictor to reduce water flow and help save on utility costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do All Shower Heads Have Flow Restrictor Valves?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, to comply with the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, all shower heads manufactured after January 1, 1994, must have a flow restrictor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there isn’t a valve in place, the metal piping may be manufactured with smaller inner diameters to reduce water flow to be compliant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Remove a Flow Restrictor Valve<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether you have a Moen, Delta, Speakman, or any other type of showerhead, the process for removal is similar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Remove the shower head from the arm using a wrench if it\u2019s tight.<\/li>
  2. Locate the small disk with a hole in the center of the shower head. This is the flow restrictor.<\/li>
  3. Use a screwdriver, pliers, or your fingers to remove the flow restrictor from the shower head.<\/li>
  4. If there\u2019s an additional flow restrictor between the arm and shower head, remove it as well.<\/li>
  5. Wrap the threading on the shower arm with Teflon tape before reattaching the shower head.<\/li>
  6. Hand-tighten the shower head back onto the arm.<\/li>
  7. Give the shower head a 1\/4 to 1\/2 turn to tighten (be careful not to overtighten).<\/li>
  8. Turn on the shower and check for leaks.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Video Demonstration on Removing a Restrictor Valve<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Here are a few helpful videos we found on YouTube that show how to remove a flow restrictor valve:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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