Replace a one-handle shower faucet to allow change in water pressure?

Submitted by Theskidiever t3_10moq4l in DIY

My apologies for the lack of technical terms. I have a shower handle similar to this

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Danco-Chrome-1-Handle-Bathtub-and-Shower-Faucet/3318458

It only allows hot to cold adjustments, not the amount of water coming through. I recently changed the showerhead and depending on the setting it's like getting sandblasted. Different people like different pressure. Is there a way for the average DIY'er to change this to have possibly a single handle that both pulls for pressure and turns for temp?

9

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

jackson71 t1_j64taj1 wrote

You mentioned the recent shower head replacement. A fast inexpensive fix would be to remove the restriction washer in the new shower head.

1

Crott117 t1_j64vvg4 wrote

Op’s issue is new head allows too much pressure

2

Theskidiever OP t1_j65556g wrote

That's what I did, now I am getting sandblasted. Before it was a trickle.

1

Crott117 t1_j656exa wrote

Ah - you left that important part out. If you have a restrictor for the new head, you can drill it out a little bit to let some more flow through. Go a little at a time though - you can’t un-drill it if you go to far. Though I suppose you could fill it with JB weld and drill it again

1

dntbsme102 t1_j652sf0 wrote

I can't answer your question, but can I ask you one? What kind of shower head did you get? I have really crappy pressure, and would love to find a shower head that increases the pressure.

1

Theskidiever OP t1_j656ddt wrote

I have this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Hibbent-Pressure-Showerhead-Adjustable-Extension/dp/B0B3XFKPGD/ref=sr_1_145_sspa?keywords=dual%2Bshowerhead&qid=1674849796&s=kitchen-bath&sr=1-145-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExN1c3Tks4NEJURklGJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzI1NTkwMVlKTktZNkRVSDBEWiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTI1MDEzUE9LUVg3OE42MFlXJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmX25leHQmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl&th=1

I took out the restrictor is the only reason it really increased pressure but now it is too much. I keep the handheld part on just to reduce the flow a little.

2

dntbsme102 t1_j656oru wrote

Thank you so much! I hope you get your problem fixed!

1

billyvray t1_j66bs5h wrote

By “depends on the setting “ do you mean the water pressure increases or decreases in relation to hot or cold water? For clarification: turn to cold and water has high pressure, turn to hot and the pressure decreases (or vice versa)? If so this could be an issue with the pressure tank on the hot water heater. I’m assuming this is a house with a normal hot water heater with a pressure tank above.

1

Theskidiever OP t1_j66n6pn wrote

No sorry I wasn’t clear. There is no pressure adjustment only temp adjustment. Turn the handle and it’s full blast cold. As you keep turning its full blast warm then full blast hot. The handle only adjusts the temperature. I know some of these handles used to pull out or tilt in addition to turning that would adjust the pressure but this doesn’t. It’s all or nothing. I would like to be able to change it to that type of handle to change the pressure also but concerned how major of a project it would be if possible at all. TIA

1