Although the flow restrictor is a helpful tool for saving water, it can reduce the water too much. Sometimes, it might reduce your water flow from the kitchen faucet to a trickle, making it difficult to wash dishes, rinse produce, or complete other daily tasks.
So, is it possible to take it out? If so, how do you remove the flow restrictor from your Hansgrohe kitchen faucet? Let’s find out.
Can The Flow Restrictor Be Removed From A Kitchen Faucet?
Generally speaking, you can remove the flow restrictor from a kitchen faucet. Some faucets might have built-in flow restrictors, so removing them is almost impossible. However, many faucets feature small filters or restrictors that are easily removable.
These filters and restrictors usually sit at the end of the spray hose, supply line, or spout. The exact location varies based on the model and brand of the faucet. You can usually find out if your faucet has a flow restrictor by examining the exploded parts diagram of your faucet.
How Do You Remove The Flow Restrictor From A Hansgrohe Kitchen Faucet?
Many of Hansgrohe’s faucets feature a temperature limiter and a filter in the assembly. It’s easy to confuse the temperature limiter as a flow restrictor, as it sits in the spot where flow restrictors often fit. However, don’t remove this temperature limiter (unless you need to adjust the temperature), as this prevents scalding.
You can remove the filter in the faucet, which can help alleviate reduced water flow. Here’s how to do it:
Unscrew The Spray Head
First things first, you’ll need to unscrew the spray head on your kitchen faucet. Hansgrohe kitchen faucets come in a few different configurations, so the layout might differ based on your model. Generally, the spray head easily unscrews from the spray hose, which will allow you to remove the spray head.
Use a clothespin or chip clip to prevent the spray hose from retracting into the faucet body, as it can be hard to retrieve the hose. Simply attach the pin or clip to the end of the spray hose and ensure it will hold the spray hose in place.
Hansgrohe offers a wide range of faucet models, so these instructions might be different from the process for your faucet. If you’re unsure how to remove the spray head (or run into complications), check the instruction manual that came with your faucet. There should be instructions for removing the filter in the second half of the booklet. Or, if you don’t have the instruction manual, you can find the instructions online.
Simply find your faucet on Hansgrohe’s website (Home Depot has the right information, too), then click on “Product Details.” Select “Installation Guide,” and a PDF of the document should pop up. Scroll through the document to find the filter removal process.
Remove The Filter
Once you remove the spray head, set it aside for later. You should see a small basket-like filter at the end of the spray hose. Remove the filter from the spray hose using your fingernail or a butter knife.
After removing the filter, you have two options: remove or clean it.
Again, if you can’t find the filter or run into issues removing it, check with the owner’s installation guide for your faucet. Hansgrohe offers specific instructions (along with helpful pictures) for removing the filter.
Clean The Filter
In some cases, the filter might be overrun by mineral deposits, which block the tiny holes. When these deposits build up enough, they can restrict the water flow drastically, causing a mere trickle to exit your faucet.
So, if you want to reattach the filter, try to clean the mineral deposits out of the filter. This is a reasonably straightforward process, but you’ll need to wait a few hours for it to soak. Here’s what you’ll need:
- White vinegar
- Bowl
- Old toothbrush
Pour a few tablespoons of vinegar into a small bowl (just enough to cover the filter completely). Drop the filter into the bowl and let it soak for a few hours or overnight. After a few hours, remove the filter from the bowl and use the old toothbrush to scrub the filter gently. This will help lift any stubborn mineral deposits.
Once you finish scrubbing the filter, rinse it with fresh water to remove residue. Insert it back into the faucet (if you’d like).
Reattach The Spray Head
Last, you’ll need to reattach the spray head. Simply screw the spray hose back onto the supply hose, then check the water flow for improvements. If the flow is still limited and you reinstalled the filter, try taking it out to see if that helps.
Or, if that doesn’t work, try soaking the spray head in vinegar to remove mineral deposits. Sometimes, minerals can become caked in the tiny spray holes in the spray head, reducing water flow and pressure. So, if cleaning or removing the filter didn’t work, try cleaning the spray head itself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do All Faucets Have Flow Restrictors?
As of 1994, every faucet is required to conserve water in accordance with the EPA’s code mandates. So, most modern faucets feature a flow restrictor. Some models have removable flow restrictors, while others are built in.
Will I Use More Water If I Remove The Flow Restrictor From My Kitchen Faucet?
Yes, removing the flow restrictor from your kitchen faucet will cause you to use more water. The flow restrictor drops the amount of water exiting the faucet (usually expressed as gallons per minute, or GPM) to the EPA’s guidelines. So, if you remove these restrictors from your tap, you may notice a jump in your water bill.
Does A Flow Restrictor Reduce Water Pressure?
A properly functioning flow restrictor shouldn’t reduce the water pressure from your kitchen faucet. If it becomes clogged, it can lead to reduced water flow and pressure, but usually, it should be fine. That said, there are some cases when the flow rate can’t keep up, leading to lowered water pressure from the fixture (shower faucets, kitchen faucets, bathroom faucets).
What Should I Do If The Flow Restrictor Isn’t The Problem?
We recommend cleaning the spray head if you remove the flow restrictor, but it doesn’t remedy the problem. Mineral deposits can build up in the spray head, leading to reduced flow and pressure, so check that next.
Some faucets (like Grohe faucets) feature check valves in the spray hose. Gunk can build up in the check valve, leading to reduced water flow and pressure.