Shower Hose Restrictors & Washers
Shower hose washers and shower flow restrictors for the small rubber and plastic parts inside the threaded ends of a shower hose. Hose washers seal the joint between hose and valve or hose and handset. Flow restrictors sit inside the same threads and limit water passing through. They cost very little but stop a leak that would otherwise need a new hose. Most UK showers use a 1/2 inch BSP washer; Mira hoses use a brand-specific size.
-34861-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=edb56473-3232-40cb-a8c4-398b9f93d78a)
-15988-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=212284F5-DE59-4569-9EED-DE4DAC49D811)
-179547-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=3132021-074542)
-179559-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=742021-133424)
-164315-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=742021-110234)
-17453-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=742021-110342)
-130638-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=E771B05B-AE91-468B-A5D8-6D0EA7B1BFF2)
-171983-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=836BA7BE-744F-4E59-952D-1785FBD35B36)
-173318-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=A9690B29-4151-476C-987A-6344769F360F)
-184253-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=38754CCB-1CBF-4EBE-ABD2-8A5779BD7228)
-185458-1-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=F3AB9E3E-C2F5-479C-A1A0-4C0F53BE5606)
-185470-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=222023-123340)
-20672-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=ABC4D16F-9401-4D5F-9AC9-DF6589AEBCEC)
-1879-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=edb56473-3232-40cb-a8c4-398b9f93d78a)
-100004-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=5779A380-0E75-4C8A-8AE1-BB812F47B517)
-180261-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=742021-105033)
-181242-1-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=C51AA86E-4374-4E4F-9EB9-CAADDD396591)
Neoperl PCR-E 8ltr Regulator For Shower Hoses A5.2221.00001
-179540-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=3132021-073103)
-179544-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=3132021-074200)
-179550-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=742021-133506)
-206762-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=222023-123502)
-123280-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=4221B060-843D-4B0D-81FC-EDAB9A9677F9)
-247854-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=78D5EB9A-0EC9-41A1-9C84-70EC9B9DD3CC)
-250291-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=3DC8E181-DA10-42CA-87E9-B9E2F4A13875)
-250740-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=C49D3DA4-B511-45E6-8AC7-FD40699ACB8E)
-250413-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=5E6BFDC0-288B-44DA-A332-22805A9819C8)
-206756-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=222023-123538)
-11518-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=2576B96F-F6C9-4BA3-B781-DEBAC8EF14F3)
-37701-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=6404E968-97C5-4754-877A-D1BCE9D29A10)
-65991-1-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=7A129917-B2D9-406F-95A3-639AAA1B6CA6)
-3700-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=548DCD5A-0D90-49BA-8AB0-3AE5E3859480)
-22930-p.jpg?w=500&h=500&v=E6E5A292-D407-4B3E-9396-8C47A9BEBA71)
SHOWER HOSE WASHERS | BUYING GUIDE
What Hose Washers and Restrictors Do
A shower hose has a threaded brass or plastic connector at each end, one fitting the valve outlet and the other fitting the handset. Inside each connector sit two small parts: the washer and (sometimes) a flow restrictor.
The washer is a flat or O-shaped rubber ring that compresses when the connector is tightened, sealing the threaded joint against water pressure. Without it, water leaks past the threads even when the hose is screwed up tight. Washers perish over time, particularly in hard-water areas, and replacement is the standard fix for a leak at the joint.
The flow restrictor is a separate small plastic insert (often a star or cross shape) that sits inside the same connector. It reduces the bore through the connector and slows the flow rate to the handset. Some installations want the restrictor (low-flow regulations, reduced pressure on a small water heater); others remove it for stronger spray.
Identifying the Right Washer
Most UK shower hoses use 1/2 inch BSP threads at both ends, with a flat or conical washer matching the connector profile. Standard washers are widely available and fit Aqualisa, Bristan, Triton, Ideal Standard and most generic UK shower hoses.
Mira hoses use brand-specific washers that differ slightly in diameter and thickness. If you have a Mira shower, order Mira-specific washers rather than generic. Mira washer kits include the right size for both the valve end and the handset end, since the two ends sometimes use different washer profiles within the same hose.
For older or imported hoses, take the existing washer with you when ordering or compare it visually to the replacement before fitting. Replacement hoses across all UK bore sizes are listed in our shower hoses range, thread mismatches that a washer alone will not solve are covered by adapters in our shower hose connectors range, and brand-specific kits are catalogued in our manufacturer directory.
When to Replace a Washer Versus the Whole Hose
Leak at the connection point only, with the hose itself in good condition. Replace the washer. Cost: pence. Time: two minutes.
Leak along the length of the hose or at multiple connection points. The hose has failed internally and a new hose is the right fix, with valve and handset parts often replaced alongside grouped together in our shower spares catalogue.
Reduced flow with no visible leak. The flow restrictor may be blocked with limescale. Remove the restrictor, clean it in vinegar or descaler, and refit. Replace if the plastic has degraded.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shower Hose Washers
What is the difference between a hose washer and a flow restrictor?
A hose washer is a flat or O-shaped rubber seal that sits inside the connector at each end of a shower hose. It compresses against the valve outlet or handset to stop water leaking past the joint. A flow restrictor is a small plastic insert (often a star or cross shape) that fits inside the same connector but reduces the bore, slowing the flow rate through the hose. They sit in the same place but do different jobs.
Why does my shower leak at the connection point?
The hose washer has perished, hardened or torn. It is the single most common cause of a leak at the joint between hose and valve, or hose and handset. Replacement washers cost pence and stop the leak in most cases. Replace the washer first before assuming the hose itself has failed and a full shower hose replacement is needed.
Are Mira shower washers different to standard UK washers?
Yes, often. Mira hoses use brand-specific washers that are slightly different in diameter and thickness from the generic 1/2 inch BSP standard. A standard UK washer will sometimes fit a Mira hose well enough to seal, but Mira-specific washers are a more reliable match. Order Mira washers when replacing washers on a Mira shower; standard UK washers for everything else.
What our customers say