How to Remove Restrictor from a Shower Head Easily?

Many of us face the common issue of low water pressure during showers. This is often caused by a small device inside the shower head called a flow restrictor. A flow restrictor's main job is to limit water usage and promote conservation.
While this helps save water, it can sometimes make your shower feel weak or unsatisfying. So if you are someone who wants to increase your showerhead water pressure, then you can consider removing the restrictor.
In this article, we’ll explain what a shower head restrictor is, how to remove a restrictor from a shower head, the good and bad sides of doing so, and what rules you should know before you start. Let's get into it.

What Is a Shower Head Flow Restrictor? Can You Remove It?

A shower head flow restrictor (also called a water limiter) is a small plastic or rubber insert inside most modern shower heads. It reduces the amount of water that flows through. Its purpose is to conserve water and reduce energy use, but many users want to remove restrictor from shower head to increase water pressure.
So, can you remove it? It depends on your local law. For example, in Australia, it's considered illegal to remove water limiter in shower head under local water-saving regulations, and it must not be done. So if you are in Australia, we suggest that you use alternative ways to increase water pressure, or you can simply invest in a showerhead that provides high water pressure, even with a built-in showerhead restrictor.
If you want something that follows the rules and still gives a good shower, MyHomeware has showerhead options that do both. You can get strong pressure without removing anything.
But if your local law allows it, you can remove a flow restrictor to increase water flow and get a stronger shower. We are going to discuss this next. Keep reading.

Tools and Materials You'll Need

Before you start removing a flow restrictor from shower head, it’s important to have the right tools on hand. Here is the list of the tools you need.

1. Pliers
2. Adjustable wrench
3. Flat-head screwdriver
4. Soft cloth or towel
5. Needle or tweezers (optional)

Make sure all these tools are at your hand. Now, let's move to the shower head flow restrictor removal steps without delay.

How to Remove a Water Restrictor from a Shower Head?

Now, to remove flow restrictor from a shower head, you need to follow each step below carefully.

Step 1: Turn Off the Water Supply

First of all, shut off the water supply to your shower. This step will prevent you from any accidental sprays while you work and make the process much cleaner.

Step 2: Detach the Shower Head

Next, go ahead and loosen the shower head from the shower arm with the help of a wrench or pliers. Make sure to wrap a soft cloth or towel around the fittings to avoid scratches or damage. And if your shower has extra nuts or connectors, loosen them gently until the shower head can be removed smoothly.

Step 3: Find the Flow Restrictor

Next, we need to find the flow restrictor. A flow restrictor is usually a small, round piece of plastic located near the inlet of the shower head. It often has tiny holes to control water flow and can be colored green, blue, yellow, or red. Take a close look inside the inlet, and if you spot a plastic ring with holes, that’s the restrictor.

Step 4: Remove the Flow Restrictor

Next, carefully lift the edge of the restrictor using a flat-head screwdriver. If it’s tight, you can use a needle or tweezers to ease it out. Make sure to do it gently to avoid damaging the surrounding parts. Another thing to remember is that never force it out, as this can crack the shower head or other internal components.

Step 5: Inspect and Clean

Once removed, check the inside of the shower head for any leftover debris. You can rinse it thoroughly to make sure water can flow freely and smoothly through all the channels.

Step 6: Reattach the Shower Head

Now it's time to place the shower head back onto the shower arm. Tighten it with a wrench. Again, make sure to protect the fittings with a cloth to prevent scratches. Now turn on the water supply and test the water flow. You will immediately notice a stronger shower stream.

Pros and Cons of Removing Water Restrictor from Shower Head

There are so many benefits of removing restrictor from shower head. However, there are some disadvantages as well. Now let's look at the pros and cons.

Alternative Ways to Increase Water Pressure

If you want stronger showers but do not want to remove water restrictor from shower head, then there are several safe and legal ways to improve your showerhead water pressure:

1. Clean the Shower Head
   Mineral deposits and limescale can build up over time, blocking water flow. Soaking the shower head in vinegar or using a small brush to clean the nozzles can restore full pressure and improve your shower experience.
2. Check for Pipe Blockages
   Low water pressure isn’t always caused by the shower head. Inspect the pipes leading to your shower for clogs or corrosion and remove any obstructions if possible.
3. Install a High-Pressure Shower Head
   Also, it's best to install a high-pressure water shower head even with a built-in water restrictor. This way, you can still enjoy a strong water flow without needing to remove the restrictor.
4. Adjust the Shower Valve
   Shower or mixing valves can sometimes restrict flow. Make sure your valve is fully open, or consider replacing the old valve to increase water pressure.
5. Use a Shower Pump
   For homes with low mains water pressure, a small shower pump can significantly boost water flow. This provides a powerful, consistent shower without modifying the shower head.

Conclusion

No doubt, removing restrictor from shower head can make the water feel stronger, but if you live in Australia, you shouldn’t do this because it’s against the law. There are safe and legal ways to improve water pressure, and we covered those above.
If your local rules don’t allow removing the restrictor, the best choice is to buy a good shower head that gives strong pressure while still using a built-in restrictor. MyHomeware offers plenty of shower heads that do exactly that, so you can enjoy a powerful shower without breaking any rules.

FAQs

Is it illegal to remove a flow restrictor in Australia?

Do Australian shower heads have flow restrictors?

Are all shower head flow restrictors removable?