OK, I am installing a stupid shower head and the darn thing has a flow restrictor. The homeowner does not want the flow restrictor, so I took it out, and tossed it in the trash. Now two weeks later, she wants it back. Jeez, so I located a supply of them (little white plastic disks with a tiny hole in them) which are fitted in between the half inch supply and the actual head.
Is there any easy way to increase the flow somewhere in between the trickle that the 2.5 gpm flow restrictors dish out and a reasonable shower? I have tried drilling them, and all it does is mangle them; I have tried using a large 20p nail, and causes the head to spurt out inconsistent flows. I am slowly going through this supply.
Any ideas?
Boris
“Sir, I may be drunk, but you’re crazy, and I’ll be sober tomorrow” — WC Fields, “Its a Gift” 1927
Replies
Only experience here....but.............
If you drill the "restrictor flow washer"...do so with a hand held drill bit vise as you would find with gas orfice drills. It is important that the restrictor aperture is uniform and not jagged. A jagged edge causes "non-laminar flow" which adds turbulance which reduces volume. Numbered bits are better than fractional for micromanaging flow.
Some faucets feature dual restrictors, one in the main body casting, as well as the shower head itself. Some shower heads are designed for lo-volume usage and do not perform well with the high volume.....change shower head to a variable style.
Lastly...the supply pressure will effect al lthe above! Could be in the layout, could be in the pressure control.....could be in the pump setting if a deep well....could be....???
And now that you have tinkered, you own the albatross that is hung around your neck! Persevere, save face, find the hidden variable that makes everyone smile! Your karma will rise above all and good references will abound!
GOOD LUCK....................................Iron Helix
You could buy another showerhead, take the washer out, then return it to Home Depot.....................(-:
Seriously - Unless it's a real expensive showerhead, you're probably better off buying a new one than spending a lot of time working on it.
To all you virgins, thanks for nothing.
Boris, drilling with a brad point bit cuts away plastic pretty clean. You'll need to back up the pc to cut smoothly on the back side........might need something to drill through to start it also.
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Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Call the mfgr. and see if they'll send you one for free, it probably doesn't cost as much as processing a check for the thing.
Delta's sent me parts that were missing from a faucet that I had purchased from a gone out of business lunber yard for no charge.
Mike
It's O.k. to think out of the box, Just don't walk off of the plank!