How to Increase the Water Velocity in a Shower Head

There are two main reasons for low water velocity in a shower head. It could be that the small screen in the shower head has become clogged. When this happens, simply removing the screen and rinsing it out can be enough to increase the flow of water through your shower head. The other thing that can reduce water flow through a shower head is the built-in flow restrictor, also known as the low-flow water-saving feature built into all shower heads. Removing this feature will increase the flow of water through your shower head--but it will also increase your water and energy bills.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flathead screwdriver
• Small crescent wrench
• Cloth to protect pipes

1. Place a cloth around the silver nut between your shower head and the pipe that comes out of your shower wall.

2. Use a crescent wrench to loosen the nut. Make sure the cloth is between the nut and the crescent wrench to keep the nut from being scratched by the wrench.

3. Loosen the nut completely and remove the shower head from the end of the pipe. Look into the opening where the shower head was connected to the pipe; you should see a small screen. Use a flathead screwdriver blade to gently pry and twist the screen until it pops out.

4. Rinse the screen under running water until the screen is clean.

5. Remove the flow restrictor. This is a piece of plastic with several small holes in it. It will be clearly visible just past where the screen was. If there is a black rubber gasket in front of the flow restrictor, gently use the corner of your screwdriver blade to slowly wiggle the gasket out. Try not to damage the gasket, because you will want to replace it later. Next, wiggle the corner of your screwdriver blade under the edge of the restrictor and then gently twist the screwdriver blade until the plastic flow restrictor pops out into your hand.

6. Discard the plastic flow restrictor. Replace the black rubber gasket. Use your thumbs to push the gasket back into place all the way around the opening.

7. Replace the now-clean screen and then hand-tighten the nut that holds the shower head onto the pipe that comes out of your wall. Cover the nut with the protective cloth and then use your crescent wrench to tighten the nut. Your shower head should now have considerably more water velocity.

Tips & Warnings

• You may want to wrap the threads of the pipe that comes from your wall with Teflon plumber's tape before reattaching your shower head, although in many cases this is not necessary.
• Removing the low-flow feature from a shower head may be a misdemeanor in some places. Check with your local authorities if you are not sure.