Nowadays, almost all shower heads are equipped with showerhead flow restrictors to regulate the water flow throughout the showerhead. It controls the water pressure (PSI) and lowers the water flow rate to keep it at 2.5 gallons per minute.
After January 1, 1994, U.S. Federal standards mandate that all bathroom and kitchen faucets use no more than 2.5 GPM.
Water flow restrictors have been designed to throttle the water pressure, reducing water use. Therefore, it saves water and energy bills.
However, in some cases, if there might not enough water pressure in your residence, and the water flow restrictor in the shower head lowers the pressure furthermore, in that case, you might want to remove that flow restrictor.
With this in mind, let’s look at removing the flow restrictor from a Peerless showerhead.
- Peerless ShowerHead – Unusable Water Flow
- What is Water Flow Restrictor in a Shower Head?
- How to Increase the Spray of a Peerless Showerhead?
- Examine Shower Head
- Carefully Raise the Screen Filter and Rubber Gasket
- Identify the Flow Restrictor’s Location
- Raise the Flow Restrictor – Gently Press with a Screwdriver
- Replace the Gasket Rubber and Filter Screen Inside
- Connect your Peerless ShowerHead to the Faucet
- Wrap Up
Peerless ShowerHead – Unusable Water Flow
As you are already aware; generally, a peerless showerhead has a built-in water flow limiter to limit the water flow to a maximum of 2.5 GPM. Still, unfortunately, this is sometimes too low for regular use because the supply line water pressure is already low. In such a situation, removing that flow limiter from your peerless showerhead is recommended.
Luckily, peerless showerheads are easy to take apart. So you can find and remove the restrictor without any hassle if you stick with us and follow our guidelines on removing the water flow restrictor from the peerless showerhead.
What is Water Flow Restrictor in a Shower Head?
The flow restrictors are usually plastic and have a flat metal base shaped like a star. Generally, it is placed behind the metal screwed portion of the fixed shower head. They can be different colors and have available inserts near their edges.
A hand shower allows you to place the restrictor on the edge of the handle. This connects the flexible pipe behind the showerhead or inside the top or bottom of the pipe.
How to Increase the Spray of a Peerless Showerhead?
If your peerless showerhead provides a small amount of water, cleaning the connection and removing the water restrictor is an easy way to improve water flow. Here are some measures to deal with this shower head for low water pressure.
Before removing the flow restrictor, ensure you have the tools you need. Here is a small list of things you need. These include:
- A screwdriver
- Wrench
- Rag
You have the necessary tools in your hand – let’s start by following these steps.
First, you need to remove the shower head from the faucet. Then clean all kinds of dirt inside the showerhead.
Use a rag to clean the inside of the showerhead slightly. It allows you to complete this task more quickly.
But, if you are experiencing any problems when removing the showerhead, then it is suggested to use an adjustable wrench. By rotating it against the clock, you can separate it easily from the base.
Examine Shower Head
In this stage, your goal is to find and remove the filter from the showerhead. To do so, you must find the best way to insert the screwdriver in the shower head to remove the filter smoothly.
Carefully Raise the Screen Filter and Rubber Gasket
Here you will need the screwdriver.
In the first case, gently pry up and remove the flow screen from the showerhead. Then repeat the same process with the rubber gasket to find the water flow restrictor.
You must be very careful and patient to perform this task. Otherwise, you might damage these parts. So, be cautious as much as possible.
Identify the Flow Restrictor’s Location
The flow restrictor will not be visible unless you remove the rubber gasket and the screen filter. Flow restriction is usually a tiny part of the showerhead. It is placed in the center of the pipe, in the center of the showerhead. Find and remove it.
Now, let’s move to the next step.
Raise the Flow Restrictor – Gently Press with a Screwdriver
Use a screwdriver to push down on the flow restrictor’s sides gently. The flow restrictor can pop out from the other side, from which you can remove the flow restrictor.
Therefore, gradually push until one side of the flow restrictor is raised.
Gently Remove From the Peerless Showerhead
The next thing you need to do is place the screwdriver under the flow restrictor, which is slightly lifted. This way, it can be removed easily from where the flow restrictor is installed.
However, you don’t want to damage this area, so follow this procedure slowly. It’s important.
Replace the Gasket Rubber and Filter Screen Inside
Once you’ve done everything described above, it’s time to put everything in place and reattach the showerhead to the faucet.
Therefore, the first thing to do is to reattach the rubber gasket and screen filter to the showerhead.
These elements are very brittle and easily break, so do it accurately.
Connect your Peerless ShowerHead to the Faucet
After reassembling the showerhead, you only need to reconnect it to the faucet.
This step is very straightforward; you only need to screw the showerhead on the faucet when removing it.
However, tighten it well to prevent leakage.
Wrap Up
Removing the water flow limiter from the peerless showerhead is not tricky. You will be fine if you only need to collect a few instruments and act according to the instructions.
Hopefully, this will help remove the flow restrictor and improve water pressure.
