Moen Shower Head Flow Restrictor - What It Is and How to Take It Out
Dealing with low water pressure in your shower? If you have a Moen showerhead, the culprit may be a built-in flow restrictor.
What is a Flow Restrictor?
A flow restrictor is a small plastic disc inside the showerhead that reduces the amount of water that flows out of the showerhead. The flow restrictor's purpose is to control water consumption and promote water conservation.
Most modern showerheads like those made by Moen have flow restrictors installed to comply with regulations limiting maximum water flow. For example, current federal regulations in the United States limit showerhead water flow to 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM).
With the flow restrictor in place, the showerhead will never allow more than the regulated maximum water flow no matter how far you turn the water handle. This helps conserve water.
Why Does Moen Use Flow Restrictors?
As one of the largest faucet manufacturers, Moen includes flow restrictors in their showerheads to:
- Comply with federal and local laws limiting water flow from showerheads
- Promote water conservation and efficiency
- Prevent excessive water usage which wastes water and energy
- Reduce operating costs for consumers by lowering water bills
However, the flow restrictor can cause frustration for some users when it limits the water pressure in their shower.
How Does the Flow Restrictor Limit Water Flow?
The flow restrictor is located inside the showerhead housing within the hose connector. It has a small hole to limit the amount of water passing through.
Even when you turn your Moen shower handle all the way to the hottest setting, the flow restrictor hole remains constant, capping your water flow. If your shower pressure seems lower than you expect, the flow restrictor is likely the reason.
Locating the Flow Restrictor in Your Moen Showerhead
To remove the flow restrictor, you first need to detach and open up your Moen showerhead. The steps to access the flow restrictor may vary slightly depending on your specific Moen showerhead model.
Identify Your Showerhead Model
Moen makes many different designs and types of showerheads. Look for any model information printed on the side of the showerhead or in the owner's manual if you still have it.
Some of the most popular Moen showerhead collections include:
- M-Pact
- Align
- Eva
- Mosaic
- Sense
- Velocity
Knowing your model helps locate the flow restrictor and disassemble the showerhead.
Removing the Showerhead from Your Shower Arm
Before doing any work, turn off the water supply to your shower at the shutoff valve. This is usually under the sink or near the water meter.
Use an adjustable wrench or pliers to loosen and unthread the connection between the showerhead and the shower arm. Be careful not to strip the threads. The connection can be tight, so you may need to use some extra force.
Once detached, you can inspect the showerhead to find the flow restrictor.
Locating and Accessing the Flow Restrictor
Check inside the opening in the showerhead where it connects to the shower hose/arm. On many Moen models, you will see a plastic disc inserted in this opening or along the threads. This is the flow restrictor.
There may also be a screen washer or mesh disk to prevent debris buildup before the flow restrictor. You'll need to remove this first to access the flow restrictor.
Some Moen models like Align or M-Pact use an external flow restrictor on the end of the shower hose that attaches to the shower arm. For these, simply unscrew the hose swivel nut to locate the restrictor.
Removing the Moen Shower Head Flow Restrictor
With the flow restrictor located, it's time to fully remove it. This will take a few simple steps.
Caution About Plumbing Restrictions
Before proceeding, check your local plumbing codes. Many municipalities prohibit removing mandated flow restrictors. Permanently removing the flow restrictor may also void your Moen warranty.
How to Remove the Flow Restrictor
Use needle-nose pliers to carefully clamp and pull out the flow restrictor. Take care not to damage the plastic housing. You may need to wiggle it loose if it's stuck.
For external flow restrictors, unscrew the outer ring counterclockwise using adjustable pliers. This will detach the flow restrictor for removal.
Check for any washers or gaskets around the restrictor and remove those too. After, inspect for any debris and rinse all the parts.
What If It Won't Budge?
Flow restrictors can be stubborn if mineral deposits have built up around them. Soaking the showerhead in white vinegar can help dissolve any deposits and loosen the flow restrictor. You can also try using lubricant like WD-40 around the restrictor. Just be careful not to get lubricant residue on the actual water flow parts.
If you absolutely cannot remove it, stop trying to avoid damaging the showerhead. Contact Moen support for additional help.
Improving Your Shower's Water Flow
With the restrictor fully removed, reassemble your Moen showerhead by reversing the steps to detach it.
Before reattaching to the shower arm, turn on the shower handle to test the water flow. You should immediately notice increased pressure and volume.
If the flow still seems lower than expected, try adjusting your home's main or individual shower water pressure. Just take care not to increase it too much.
While removing the flow restrictor boosts water volume, for water conservation the best option is to clean or replace it. A clogged restrictor can reduce flow.
Consider replacing just the flow restrictor with a new one after a thorough cleaning. This will maintain some water savings while giving you the pressure you want.
Removing the flow restrictor in your Moen showerhead boosts your shower's water pressure and flow. But proceed with caution to avoid breaking local regulations.
Try cleaning or replacing the flow restrictor first as a solution. Only permanently remove the flow restrictor if nothing else works. And be sure to check any warranty implications.
If you understand what a flowor does and how to remove it, you can improve your shower's performance.