To save water, turn the water off while you soap up.
If you're tired of standing in the shower, waiting for that trickle of water to rinse the soap off your body and the shampoo out of your hair, learn remove the water flow restrictor. You can still conserve water in the shower by taking a quicker shower, or by temporarily turning the water off while you soap up or shave.
Instructions
1. Remove the shower head where it meets the arm, which is the part that connects the shower head to the wall, with an adjustable wrench or large pliers. To avoid scratches, wrap an old wash cloth around the arm before gripping it with pliers. Unscrew it counterclockwise, being extra careful if it's old. Push with constant force, slowly building pressure. Violent jerking may break the arm behind the wall. If the shower head won't budge, apply a squirt of anti-seize oil every morning after your shower and try again in a week.
2. Inside the shower head, you should see a rubber washer by itself or with a small screen attached. Gently pry it out using a small screwdriver or needle nose pliers, and set it aside.
3. Tap the shower head upside down or pry out the flow restrictor. If that doesn't work, use a Phillips head screwdriver and a hammer to gently knock a very small hole -- no larger than the size of the end of your shoelace -- in the center of the flow restrictor.
4. Replace the rubber washer.
5. Apply two or three turns of plumber's thread seal tape on the arm in a clockwise direction. Screw the shower head back on clockwise. Hand tighten, then add 1/4 to 1/2 additional turn with an adjustable wrench.
6. Test for leaks and adequate flow. If there is a leak, tighten another 1/4 turn. If there isn't enough flow, disassemble and make the hole in the flow restrictor a tiny bit larger.
Tips Warnings
There are a few shower heads that are attached to the shower arm and are not removable. Disassemble these from the front of the shower head, where the water comes out.
Some of the newest shower heads have a combined washer and restrictor. Removing the one piece restrictor/washer will cause the shower head to leak at the threads where it connects to the neck. Your only hope is to knock a small hole in the center -- but, be prepared to purchase another shower head if it fails it doesn't work.
