Do You Need a Flow Restrictor in Your Shower Head?

As an expert in home renovation with over 10 years of experience, I‘m often asked if flow restrictors are necessary in shower heads. The short answer is yes – installing a flow restrictor can benefit most homes. But what exactly does a flow restrictor do? How does it work? And when might you not want one?

I‘ve installed hundreds of shower heads and will provide a detailed look at flow restrictors so you can decide if one is right for your home.

What is a Flow Restrictor?

A flow restrictor is a small device that limits the amount of water passing through your shower head. It looks like a flat plastic washer or disc with a small hole in the center. This tiny hole controls the water flow rate out of the shower head.

A typical shower head flow restrictor disc

By reducing the flow, these devices lower your shower head‘s gallons per minute (GPM). A standard shower head without a restrictor uses around 2.5 GPM. With a flow restrictor, that number is decreased to 1.5 GPM or even 1 GPM, depending on the restrictor size.

This 50-60% reduction in water flow helps conserve water. Let‘s look closer at why that‘s important.

Why Use Flow Restrictors?

There are several key benefits flow restrictors provide:

Save Water

The average 8 minute shower uses around 20 gallons of water without a restrictor. But with a restrictor reducing flow by half, you‘ll save 10 gallons per shower. For a household of four taking daily showers, that‘s around 1,400 gallons saved every month!

Reduced water usage is especially critical in drought-prone areas where water conservation is key. Many municipalities now require flow restrictors in new construction.

Reduce Energy Costs

It takes electricity or gas to heat water for your shower. Limiting water usage means less energy required for heating. This saves you money on your utility bills each month.

Based on Department of Energy data, an average household spends $400 annually just heating shower water. By cutting your shower water use in half, you could save roughly $200 per year on energy costs alone.

Limit Water Pressure

Excessively high water pressure can damage plumbing fixtures and joints. This leads to leaks and water waste. Flow restrictors regulate pressure to prevent these types of problems.

I‘ve seen client‘s pipes burst due to high pressure, resulting in massive water damage and expensive repairs. Proper pressure regulation is crucial to avoiding this.

Maintain Comfortable Pressure

Ever had the shower go suddenly cold when someone flushed a toilet or turned on a sink?

Sudden temperature changes are annoying and uncomfortable

By controlling the flow rate, restrictors help maintain steady pressure and temperature. No more cold water shocks or discomfort!

Based on these benefits, I always recommend installing flow restrictors to new clients. The water savings alone make them a worthwhile investment.

Next let‘s look at the different types of flow restrictors available.

Types of Flow Restrictors

Flow restrictors come in two main configurations – removable and non-removable.

Removable Restrictors

Removable restrictors attach via a threaded connector nut on the shower arm or hose. This style allows you to take the restrictor out if desired.

Removable restrictors often use a plastic washer or mesh screen. They simply fit into the shower arm‘s nut or swivel ball connector.

A removable flow restrictor screen inside a shower head nut

Because they can be easily removed, this style of restrictor may be less "tamper-proof" than other options. But they allow flexibility if you ever want to remove the restrictor later.

Non-Removable Restrictors

Non-removable restrictors are permanently integrated into the shower head itself. The restrictor cannot be accessed without fully disassembling the shower head.

This type of fixed flow restrictor is common in low-flow shower heads. It offers a more permanent solution since the restrictor can‘t easily be removed.

Integrated restrictors are often found in high efficiency shower heads meant to conserve water.

A non-removable flow restrictor assembled into a shower head

Adjustable Restrictors

Higher end shower heads may include adjustable flow restrictors. These allow you to fine tune the water pressure and flow.

Adjustable restrictors use a dial or control on the shower head to open or close an internal valve. This provides flexibility for those who want full flow occasionally.

An adjustable flow restrictor dial

Adjustable restrictors cost a bit more but offer customizable control over your shower.

Who Needs a Flow Restrictor?

For most homes today, installing flow restrictors is recommended. The water and energy savings make them a practical choice.

However, there are a few scenarios where you may not want a flow restrictor:

• Rural property with private well – With abundant water supply, conservation may be less crucial.
• Already low water pressure – Further limiting flow can make shower pressure unsatisfactory.
• Want rainshower effect – Heavy full flow creates a drenching rainshower effect.
• Using for pets or cleaning – Higher flow when washing dogs or scrubbing surfaces may be desired.

In general though, I suggest giving flow restrictors a try. The reduced GPM usage is barely noticeable for most people. And you can always remove the flow restrictor later if you desire maximum shower power.

Next I‘ll cover how to install or replace a flow restrictor in your existing shower head.

Installing or Replacing a Flow Restrictor

Adding a flow restrictor is a simple project taking only a few minutes. Here are the steps:

Supplies Needed:

• Flow restrictor kit or replacement washers
• Adjustable wrench
• Teflon plumber‘s tape

Steps:

1. Turn off water supply valves to shower. Turn on shower briefly to relieve pressure.
2. Use adjustable wrench to unscrew shower head from wall arm or bracket.
3. Locate connector nut attaching head to pipe. Unscrew nut to access opening.
4. Remove old flow restrictor if present. Insert new restrictor firmly into opening.
5. Wrap plumber‘s tape around connector threads. Hand tighten nut back onto pipe.
6. Re-attach shower head to wall arm/bracket and turn water back on.
7. Check for leaks and test shower water pressure.

Be sure to purchase a flow restrictor made specifically for your model of shower head. Improperly sized restrictors can leak or shoot off when water is turned on.

Inserting a new flow restrictor into shower head pipe connector

Follow these steps carefully when replacing your old shower head flow restrictor. Plumber‘s tape prevents leaks.

With practice, you can replace a shower head restrictor in less than 5 minutes without any special tools. Just be sure to shut off water supply before disassembling your shower head.

Maintaining or Troubleshooting Issues

Flow restrictors are durable but may require occasional maintenance. Check yours if water pressure seems lower than normal.

Mineral deposits in hard water can clog the small opening over time. Remove and hold the restrictor up to light. If the hole appears blocked, use a toothpick to gently clear any debris.

For stubborn buildup, soak the flow restrictor in white vinegar overnight to dissolve mineral deposits, then rinse clean. Avoid using metal objects to poke the opening, as they can damage the plastic restrictor.

If visible corrosion prevents the restrictor from working properly, simply replace it with a new one.

Beyond clogs, also check supply valves, shower arm, and hose for any blockages reducing pressure. Problems are often due to buildup in other areas beside the restrictor itself.

Removing a Flow Restrictor

Some homeowners ultimately decide they don‘t want their flow restrictor. To remove it:

1. Shut off water valves and relieve pressure before disassembling shower head.
2. Locate flow restrictor inside connector nut or fixed inside shower head.
3. Remove restrictor disc or screen. Pliers may be needed for stubborn restrictors.
4. Thoroughly flush shower head and arm to clear out debris before reassembling.

Exercise caution when using tools to pry out a stuck flow restrictor. Damage to the connector threads or plastic parts will cause leaks. If unable to remove the restrictor after several attempts, it may be integrated into the shower head permanently.

Keep in mind that removing the restrictor defeats its intended water conservation purposes. Without it, your shower will use significantly more water and energy.

I don‘t generally recommend removing flow restrictors, except for certain situations like filling a bucket or washing pets. For typical showering, restrictors provide substantial savings without noticeably affecting your experience.

Setting Your Shower Pressure

While opinions vary on ideal shower pressure, follow these general guidelines:

• Target 30 to 80 PSI static pressure for most homes.
• Measure pressure right at the shower head using a pressure gauge.
• Excessive pressure over 80 PSI can damage fixtures. Consider a pressure reducing valve.
• Low pressure under 20 PSI provides unsatisfactory flow. Inspect plumbing for issues restricting flow.
• Average shower head pressure range is 2.5 – 5 PSI flowing.
• If pressure is too low, check supply valves, shower arm clogs, and home water pressure.

Finding the right pressure for your preferences may require some trial and error. Remember that flow restrictors reduce pressure – you may desire higher static pressure to start, compensating for the pressure drop from the restrictor.

Installing a pressure gauge lets you visually confirm your shower head‘s PSI during use. Adjust as needed to find your optimal pressure.

A water pressure gauge helps set your shower PSI

Follow these tips to keep your water pressure in the ideal range – not too high and not too low.

The Bottom Line

Based on my extensive experience, I highly recommend installing flow restrictors in most shower heads. The reduction in water and energy usage provides real savings.

Maintenance is easy – just periodically check your restrictor for mineral buildup. Replace it if necessary to maintain optimal pressure.

While you can remove the restrictor if you desire maximum flow, restrictions generally have minimal impact on the showering experience.

If you have any other questions about shower head flow restrictors, don‘t hesitate to ask! I‘m always happy to help homeowners make the best choices for their homes.