How to Remove Water Restrictor From Moen Shower Head
A water restrictor is a device that reduces the flow of water from a faucet. It was invented to help conserve water and has been used in homes for decades. However, some would like to remove their restrictors from their shower heads for aesthetic purposes. In this post, we will show you how to remove water restrictor from Moen shower head!
To remove your Moen Shower Head Restrictor, you will need A wrench set with an adjustable spanner or a pipe wrench, a screwdriver, and pliers. First, disconnect the pipes going into the showerhead by loosening them using your wrench or pipe wrench so they can be slid off easily without twisting them too much. Next, unscrew all three screws holding on to the housing to remove the top. Keep reading to know all the step-by-step instructions.
Reasons Why Remove Water Restrictor From Moen Shower Head?
1. Save Money:
Removing the water restrictor can save money because your water heater won’t need to heat as much cold water. This means the hot water from the showerhead is hotter, making it feel like there’s more water pressure than you would get otherwise.
2. No More Weak Showers:
Removing the water restrictor can strengthen your shower because you don’t have to wait for the cold water coming out of the showerhead to heat up.
3. No More Bending Over:
There is no more need to bend over so far to get the shampoo out of your bottle. The hot water will come out full force, which means less bending over!
4. More Enjoyable Showers:
You won’t have to worry about cold water being mixed with hot water anymore, so the shower will be more desirable and more enjoyable.
5. Take Longer Showers:
If you’re removing the water restrictor because you want to take longer showers, that’s fine too. Hotter water means more time can be spent in the shower before getting bored.
Things to Consider Before Removing Water Restrictor From Moen Shower Head:
1. Removing the water restrictor from your shower head will allow for much greater volumes of water to flow through the showerhead. Unfortunately, this means that you will be exposed to more water pressure than usual, which can sometimes cause discomfort or even injury if not careful.
2. Removing the water restrictor is a reasonably simple process, but there is the possibility of damage to your shower head. You can avoid most possible problems by using care and common sense.
3. You can’t put the water restrictor back in once it has been removed, so you will need to buy a new one if you want some restrictions.
4. Once you remove the water restrictor from your Moen shower head, it will be virtually impossible for a non-trained professional to put it back in without causing extensive damage to their body parts.
5. If you have a low-pressure Moen shower head, you can replace it with a new one that has a water restrictor if you want the convenience of turning it off and on as desired.
6. Removing the water restrictor from your shower head will make it much more efficient at removing dirt and grime from your body.
What You’ll Need to Remove Water Restrictor:
- Wire hanger
- Something to cut hanger with (scissors, knife)
- Needle nose pliers
- Clean rag or paper towel
- Kitchen sink
- Paper clip or safety pin
- Plumber’s tape
Instructions: How to Remove Water Restrictor From Moen Shower Head
Step 1: Turn Off Water
Turn off water before attempting any maintenance or repairs on the shower faucet. This is important because it ensures that no water comes through the pipe while working on it. In addition, if you do not turn off the water, the pressure of the running water may cause damage to your shower head or some other part of your plumbing system.
Step 2: Twist Off Head
The Moen shower head is constructed of several different parts. One part you will need to remove is the front plate (the part with the logo). To do this, insert a flathead screwdriver in the groove where the leaf meets the rest of your shower head and twist it counterclockwise. The front plate will come right off.
Step 3: Expose Screw
With the front plate removed, one can see a small screw. This screw is what attaches the water restrictor to your shower head. Using either an Allen wrench or another flathead screwdriver (if you do not have an Allen wrench), turn this screw counterclockwise. The water restrictor is now exposed and can be removed from the showerhead.
Step 4: Clean
You have successfully exposed the water restrictor, and now you need to clean it with a small brush or Q-tip so that dirt does not clog up your shower head as time goes on. First, make sure there are no visible pieces of the water restrictor left behind on your shower head, and then reassemble by screwing all of the parts back together.
Step 5: Turn On the Water
Once you have reassembled your shower head, turn the water back on and enjoy a less restricted flow of water from your shower.
Some Tips and Tricks:
1. If you have difficulty removing the restrictor, soak it in some vinegar or other mild acid overnight to eat away at the minerals and allow for easier removal.
2. If your shower head is new and not yet installed, gently beat the bottom of the shower arm with a hammer to loosen up the flow restrictor. You should be able to remove it by hand or with a pair of needle-nose pliers.
3. If the above two procedures do not work, try a small hand-held drill with a 3/32″ bit. Slowly and carefully drill into the flow restrictor, then remove it with pliers.
4. If you are unsure about any of the above procedures, consult a plumber or head to your hardware store for more specific advice.
5. If the restrictor is in your shower head, you will not be able to remove it. Therefore, you must replace your shower head to increase water pressure.
Precautions and Safety Measures:
1. Always wear gloves and safety glasses when working with tools, chemicals, or anything that can hurt you if done improperly.
2. When using bleach (sodium hypochlorite), never mix it with other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or vinegar can produce poisonous gas. Likewise, mixing bleach with acid can produce dangerous chlorine gases.
3. Always use eye and skin protection when handling tools, chemicals, or objects that could cause injury if not correctly handled.
4. When using power tools (drills, grinders), always read the operator’s manual for proper usage before getting started.
5. Use power tools in well-ventilated areas or even outside if possible. Power tools generate dust particles and small debris chips that may cause respiratory problems if breathing is unfiltered by proper ventilation.
Conclusion:
The key to removing a water restrictor is patience and care. If you take your time, the process will go smoothly and without incident. We hope this article helped you to learn how to remove the water restrictors from the Moen shower heads.
Suppose you were able to complete the task; congratulations! You may now enjoy an unrestricted flow of water and can continue your day as usual. However, if you couldn’t get it off or still need help getting that pesky thing out, don’t fret! Just let us know in the comment section!
Angela Ervin
Angela is the executive editor of DIY quickly. She began her career as an interior designer before applying her strategic and creative passion to lifestyle and home. She has close to 15 years of experience in creative writing and online content strategy for housekeeping, home decorations as well as other niche efforts. She loves her job and has the privilege of working with an extraordinary team. She lives with her husband, two sons, and daughter in Petersburg. When she's not busy working she spent time with her family.
