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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Step 1: Determine if the low water pressure is limited to your shower or if it's present throughout your home. You can do this by turning on various faucets and observing the pressure. If you notice the same low pressure everywhere… Your main water shutoff valve might be partially closed.
The Fire Hydrant Spa Shower Head Spa Plaza is a good replacement shower head that is designed to boost water pressure in low flow settings. It has a 4-inch face to provide wide coverage, and this enables the water to reach all parts of your body.
What does a flow restrictor look like? Before you remove the flow restrictor from your shower head, you need to know what it looks like. 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.
Differentiating Between Low Flow And High Flow Shower Heads
When it comes to Shower Heads, you'll typically find 2.5 GPM, 2.0 GPM, 1.8 GPM and 1.5 GPM. If you're looking for the most pressure, go for the 2.5 GPM Flow Rate, unless you are restricted because you reside in California, Colorado or New York.
Pressure-Reducing Valve
Look on the main supply pipe near your water meter for a conical valve that has a bolt sticking out of the cone. To raise pressure, turn the bolt clockwise after loosening its locknut. Keep an eye on the gauge to make sure the pressure is within bounds, then retighten the locknut.
National standard of maximum 2.5 gpm flow rate for shower heads was established through the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 in order to save water. If the state, county or city of residency does not specify a maximum flow rates for shower heads, a 2.5 gpm shower head is the maximum one can get.
Lower pressure could be more severe than you imagine, potentially involving serious problems like leaking or cracked water pipes and may require professional intervention before snowballing into a home plumbing disaster.
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. The GPM flow rate for shower heads has decreased over time.
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.
If the water from your showerhead is shooting out in all directions, or your flow has become almost nonexistent, the holes in your showerhead are probably clogged with hard water minerals and soap residue.
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.
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That's a common misconception. A lower flow rate does not mean that your shower will have less pressure. Water flow (gpm) refers to how much water is coming out, not how fast or how hard it's coming out.
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.