It can be frustrating when your shower head doesn’t give you the pressure you need. Often, this is because of a flow restrictor that limits the water coming out. But don’t worry, this is easy to remove. In just a few simple steps, you can have a high-pressure shower head again.
In this article, we’ll show you how to remove the flow restrictor from your Waterpik shower head so you can enjoy a powerful shower. Keep reading to learn more.
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What Is A Flow Restrictor?
A flow restrictor is a small disk with a hole in the middle that’s placed inside the shower head. Its purpose is to control the amount of water that comes out so that it’s not too much for the shower head to handle.
Originally, these were put in shower heads to help conserve water. But now, many people find them annoying because they often result in a weak stream of water.
Why Would You Want To Remove It?
There are a few reasons why you might want to take out the flow restrictor from your shower head:
- You want more water pressure
- The water pressure has decreased over time and you want it back
- You’re moving to a new home with lower water pressure than before and want to compensate
- You need to clean the shower head and all of its parts, including the flow restrictor
How to Remove the Flow Restrictor from Your Waterpik Shower Head
Now that you know why you might want to remove the flow restrictor, let’s go over how to do it. With just a few simple supplies, you can have your high-pressure shower back in no time.
What You’ll Need:
- A small Phillips head screwdriver
- A pair of needle-nose pliers
- Rubber gloves (optional)
Instructions:
- Start by removing the shower head from the hose. To do this, unscrew it by hand or use a wrench if it’s tight. Be careful not to strip the threads.
- Once the shower head is removed, take a look at the back and locate the flow restrictor.
- Use your screwdriver to remove the Phillips head screws that are holding the flow restrictor in place.
- Carefully remove the flow restrictor with your fingers or pliers. If it’s stuck, you may need to use a little WD-40 or soap and water to help loosen it.
- Once the flow restrictor is out, reassemble your shower head and screw it back onto the hose.
- Turn on the water to test the pressure. You should notice an increase in water pressure right away.
- If you have any rubber gloves, you can use them to clean off the flow restrictor before putting it back in (optional).
- Enjoy your high-pressure shower.
Whether you are just installing a Waterpik shower head or have had one for a while, you may eventually need to remove the flow restrictor. This is a great news when it comes to this component found in shower heads – you can simply remove it at any time.
Cleaning Your Flow Restrictor
While the best handheld shower head will have a flow restrictor to help with water conservation, it will also eventually need to be cleaned. Depending on the hardness of your water, you may find that the mineral buildup limits water flow more than the actual hole in the center of the disk. If this is the case, you can clean your flow restrictor with vinegar or lime away.
To clean your flow restrictor:
- Remove it from your shower head as described above
The first step is to always remove the flow restrictor from your shower head. If you do not do this, then you are just going to be cleaning the inside of your shower head and not the component that needs it.
- Soak in vinegar or lime away
Once the flow restrictor is removed, you can soak it in vinegar or lime away. This will help to break down any mineral buildup that is limiting water flow.
- Rinse with clean water
After soaking for a few hours, rinse the flow restrictor with clean water to remove any residue.
- Reassemble your shower head
Now that your flow restrictor is clean, you can reassemble your shower head and enjoy increased water pressure.
Shower Head With Handheld Combo
The flow restrictor when there is a handheld combination is a bit different than when there is only a shower head. The process to remove the flow restrictor is as follows:
- Remove the faceplate from the handheld unit
- Unscrew the aerator from the end of the hose
- Use needle-nose pliers to remove the washer and O-ring from the back of the aerator
- Pull out the flow restrictor
- Clean or replace as needed
- Reassemble your shower head
This difference in how the flow restrictor is removed is because the handheld unit has a faceplate that needs to be removed before getting to the aerator.
How To Remove Flow Restrictor From Waterpik Shower Head Handheld Handheld – FAQ
How Do I Remove The Flow Restrictor From My Waterpik Shower Head Handheld?
There are a few ways that you can remove the flow restrictor from your Waterpik shower head handheld. The first way is to use a small screwdriver or another sharp object to pry it out. The second way is to unscrew the shower head from the water supply line and then remove the flow restrictor.
Why Would I Want To Remove The Flow Restrictor?
There are a few reasons why you might want to remove the flow restrictor from your shower head. One reason is if you want to increase the water flow from your shower head. Removing the flow restrictor can also help to improve the performance of your shower head.
Is It Difficult To Remove The Flow Restrictor?
No, it is not difficult to remove the flow restrictor from your shower head. However, you will need to be careful not to damage the shower head or the supply line when you are removing it. It is also important to make sure that you put the flow restrictor back correctly so that it does not cause any problems with your water pressure or with the performance of your shower head.
Image Credit: https://yourproplumber.com/
Final Thoughts On How To Remove Flow Restrictor From Waterpik Shower Head Handheld Handheld
In conclusion, removing the flow restrictor from your shower head is a relatively simple task that anyone can do. With just a few tools and a little time, you can increase your water pressure and enjoy a better showering experience. Just be sure to clean your flow restrictor periodically to prevent mineral buildup and ensure optimal water flow.
The post How To Remove Flow Restrictor From Waterpik Shower Head Handheld appeared first on Kitchen Infinity.
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