{"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 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 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 Here are a few helpful videos we found on YouTube that show how to remove a flow restrictor valve:<\/p>\n\n\n\nDo All Shower Heads Have Flow Restrictor Valves?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to Remove a Flow Restrictor Valve<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Video Demonstration on Removing a Restrictor Valve<\/h2>\n\n\n\n