How to Remove the Flow Restrictor from Moen Shower Head

If you own a Moen shower head, you already understand why they are the best in terms of user experience, as they transform a regular shower into a spa-like experience. Furthermore, they are long-lasting and go well with various bathroom designs.

Moen shower units are engineered to function effectively even in low-pressure conditions. Shower units typically have a flow rate of 2 to 3 gallons per minute (GPM), whereas low-flow units have a flow rate of 1 to 2 GPM.

The water flow for Moen shower heads is 1.5 gallons per minute (GPM), which consumes up to 32% less water while maintaining high performance. A flow restrictor causes low flow in the shower head, or a water-saving filter installed in the shower head.

Restrictors on the shower head are installed to reduce water flow, and aerators give the water a sense of “full flow” When taking a shower.

The water is replaced by air and distributed uniformly on the body to feel like more water is flowing. Low-flow showers provide less water to a larger area.

Nevertheless, you may require full flow at certain times, such as in the morning or early evening. You must remove the shower head flow restrictor to get an instant full flow.

Removing the restrictor will boost your water’s velocity (strength), giving you a wonderful instant shower experience.

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How to Remove a Flow Restrictor In Moen Shower head

You’ll need a couple of tools which are.

  • Adjustable wrench.
  • Teflon tape.
  • Pair of tweezers.
  • Rag.
  • A paper clip.

Step 1: Take the shower head off the wall with a pair of padded adjustable wrench. Use the rag to pad the adjustable wrench. If it’s not padded, it could leave marks on the chrome. Turn the showerhead counter-clockwise on the flat spots at the bottom of the showerhead.

The flat spots are located on the pipe connector. It is here that the head is screwed into the hose of the swan neck, which is the part that protrudes from the wall.

When removed, carefully clean the threads on the goose-neck since debris may have accumulated.

Step 2: Remove the O ring – using the paper clip. The O-ring inside the showerhead is used to secure an appropriate seal to block a path that could otherwise allow water to leak. Keep the O-ring for later use.

Step 3: Use your pair of tweezers to pull out the blue plastic, which is the flow restrictor. Once the flow restrictor is removed, put back the O-ring.

Step 4: Wrap the thread with the Teflon tape. Teflon is mostly used to prevent leakages. Roll up threads 4 to 5 turns clockwise. To prevent the tape from becoming visible, do not extend the tape over the threaded area.

Squeeze the tape carefully into the threads to complete this step.

Make sure it is firm and screwed into place. To test it out, turn on the water and ensure that the water flows smoothly without leaking. If there is leakage in the shower arm, you may need to tighten the head with a wrench.

Protect the shower head by padding the wrench with a cloth. Redo the test and continue tightening until no leaks occur.

Step 5: And you are good to go. You will notice an instant change in the pressure of shower water.

It’s a fairly simple process to take out the flow restrictor. Always ensure that the shower is dry indoors while doing this work to prevent slippage.

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Where is the Flow Restrictor In a Fixed Showerhead

The flow restrictor is a piece of white, green, pink, and red plastic located at the showerhead connection nut.

How Can one Increase the Flow of a Shower Head

If your water pressure is not powerful enough you the water restrictor is what is limiting the water flow rate. You can boost the pressure by removing the flow restrictor from the inside of the showerhead.

Water pressure is the word we use to describe the force of water in our showerheads. The actual pressure itself depends on the quantity of flow through the shower hose or showerhead, the more water being pushed through the pressure the more you will get.

The real pressure we receive in our homes comes from our connection to the city’s water supply. Water that travels from the water company through large pipes and eventually into our homes is all pressurized.

If there is a break in the water line outside your house and you turn on the faucet, then you will only get a trickle until that break is repaired.

Water pressure is measured in PSI (pounds per square inch) and the water companies deliver pressurized water at very high levels for their own needs, such as getting water to fire hydrants. Water companies often supply more than 150 psi of water.

This can in fact be a bad thing for our homes, because at this high pressure on shower head, it can cause significant leakage and damage to the pipes. At home, the water pressure should never exceed 80 psi.

For houses that are not connected to municipal water pipes, such as houses that have well water and gravity water systems. Unless these houses have a kind of water pump, they will not reach very high PSI levels.

Conclusion
These days most shower heads have a water restrictor installed in them. They will generally limit the amount of water that flows through the shower. This saves a lot of water, especially in homes that have high water pressure.

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