Most low-flow showerheads have a rubber pressure-reducing valve (called a regulator) to maintain a lower pressure. You can increase the flow by simply taking it out. You could also consider enlarging the hole that allows water into your showerhead with a drill to increase the amount of water coming through.
Removing the water restrictor from your showerhead can also improve water pressure. Removal might also clear out mineral build-up around the restrictor. It's fine for you to remove one if you live in an apartment unless otherwise stated. Note that your water bill may increase after removal.
Depending on your current flow rate, you may be able to increase the flow simply by removing the filter or restricting device or replacing the showerhead with a higher-flow model, such as increasing to a standard 2.5 GPM head. Before you change the showerhead, make sure that the new model is legal in your area.
If you're experiencing low shower pressure, take these initial steps to find out what could be causing the problem: First, clean your showerhead thoroughly. Ensure the shower hose isn't kinked or damaged, then check the filter. This might require taking your shower apart, so consider asking a professional to help.
For water conservation purposes, most plumbing codes require faucets and showering devices to not exceed a certain maximum flow rate. Removing the flow restrictors could cause these devices to no longer meet these codes.
Two big reasons: To help lower utility bills -- and to conserve water. According to the EPA, the average family could save 2,700 gallons per year by installing WaterSense labeled showerheads. Since these water savings will reduce demands on water heaters, they will also save energy.
Removing a flow restrictor is illegal according to the US Energy Policy Act of 1992, which limits the maximum shower water flow rate to 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM).
A quick and easy way to increase water pressure is to adjust the pressure-reducing valve, which can be found in your home, usually close to your water meter. If your pressure gauge reading was low, make slight adjustments to your regulator.
All taps and showers are rated with a minimum required pressure rating, which will usually be between 0.1 and three bar. Anything below one bar is considered low pressure. By law, your water supplier must be able to supply a statutory minimum of 1 bar of normal mains water pressure to your home.
A broken water pressure regulator can cause high pressure. Trapped air can increase water pressure in pipes. Your showerhead's restrictor valve may have malfunctioned. If you hear a banging in your pipes, something called “water hammer,” you could have high water pressure.
High pressure shower heads work much better than low pressure shower heads. This is because water that is sprayed at high pressure can reach all areas of the body and cleanse them more thoroughly than low pressure water.
Open your main water valve.
Your house has a main water valve, usually located near the meter; the valve controls the flow of water into your home's pipes. Find the valve and check to see if it's completely open. Opening a half-shut valve is one of the quickest ways for increasing home water pressure.
Flow restrictors essentially create a barrier to the flow, decreasing the available area for the flow to move through. This decreases the flow output and less gallons per minute are released by the pipe or hose. Slowing down the flow rate cuts down the total water consumption/usage happening per minute.
Normal psi for a home pipe system is between 30 and 80 psi. While you don't want the psi to be too low, it violates code to be above 80. Instead, you should aim for a psi that's between 60 and 70.
Do All New Shower Heads Have Flow Restrictors? Not all new shower heads come with flow restrictors. While many brands focus on water and energy efficiency, it's not a universal feature. So, before you make a purchase, it's a good idea to check the specifications and ensure they fit your needs.
Please keep in mind that all new faucets since 1994 are restricted to conserve water per EPA code mandates. Older faucets had no restrictions. Beyond intentional flow restriction, new installations can sometimes have reduced flow if the lines are not flushed prior to installation of aerators or shower heads.
If you've just installed a brand-new showerhead and find that the pressure is suddenly lower, it's probably because you've purchased a water-saving showerhead. Check the labels around the rim, or perform the showerhead GPM test as described below.
After all, it needs certain amount of water to remove the soap, that is physic. Studies have shown that 1.8 gpm is the minimum flow rate to have a good enjoyable rinsing, so the common 1.75 gpm models, is somewhat good enough for a decent shower. To save water further and still have a full enjoyable rinsing experience.
GPM means Gallons Per Minute. Also known as "flow rate", GPM is a measure of how many gallons of water flow out of your shower head each minute. Since 1992, a maximum of 2.5 GPM is the federally mandated flow rate for new shower heads. This means no more than 2.5 gallons of water should flow out each minute.
Flow restrictors limit the amount of water flowing downstream, while pressure regulators affect the pressure of upstream water by changing the flow of downstream water. Water pressure regulators are not designed to control flow rate. However, they affect flow rate by managing the pressure within a water line.
A water flow restrictor is usually a flat, circular, plastic piece. The center of the restrictor is shaped like a star, or similarly shaped, and comes in a variety of colors.