New kitchen faucet, low and slow flow

[bigdee]

Could someone explain the logic of a flow restrictor in a kitchen faucet? I just replaced mine with a high end brand and wife complained about low flow. I found out it had a 1.8 GPM flow limiter. To satisfy the wife I drilled out the orifice but how does this nonsense supposed to save water? I mean it takes a certain amount of water to fill the sink,pot or pitcher.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: New kitchen faucet, low and slow flow

it would help when you take a shower in your kitchen sink

 

[dingbat]

Re: New kitchen faucet, low and slow flow

The theory is that a high percentage of water usage is for rinsing. I'm guessing that 80% of the water consumed at our kitchen sink is used to rinse dishes off before putting them in the dishwasher.

 

[bigdee]

Re: New kitchen faucet, low and slow flow

The theory is that a high percentage of water usage is for rinsing. I'm guessing that 80% of the water consumed at our kitchen sink is used to rinse dishes off before putting them in the dishwasher.

I love micro-managed theories. Rinse at low flow with one hand while reaching for the scrub pad because there is not sufficient flow to move the crud....rinse twice as long?

 

[Cofe]

Re: New kitchen faucet, low and slow flow

We put some of those energy efficient faucets in resort rooms. Women were complaining that they did not have enough water to wash off their makeup. We then installed new old style water aerators and never had another complaint.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: New kitchen faucet, low and slow flow

Water flow is actually controlled by volume. So if a reducer is introduced the volume is decreased and possibly a slight rise in pressure.

 

[bigdee]

Re: New kitchen faucet, low and slow flow

Water flow is actually controlled by volume. So if a reducer is introduced the volume is decreased and possibly a slight rise in pressure.

This is true if the reduced flow remains narrow and focused but the aerator negates that.

 

[generator12]

Re: New kitchen faucet, low and slow flow

Could someone explain the logic of a flow restrictor in a kitchen faucet? I just replaced mine with a high end brand and wife complained about low flow. I found out it had a 1.8 GPM flow limiter. To satisfy the wife I drilled out the orifice but how does this nonsense supposed to save water? I mean it takes a certain amount of water to fill the sink,pot or pitcher.

I've found the same thing with a "water saver" toilet tank and its ventilated flapper valve. Requires two flushes to do what one used to do. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion, and I have mine. And it doesn't favor this sort of illogical tinkering. Conservation is always a worthwhile objective, but stupidity often derails the best efforts.

 

[lakelover]

Re: New kitchen faucet, low and slow flow

Having been nearer the plumbing industry when this nonsense became required, I thought I remembered that the theory was that people leave their tap running while they do stuff like shave, brush their teeth, wipe down the counter & rinse stuff, etc. They weren't going to change that behavior, but at least the water wasted would be less for a given run time.

I put a new kitchen faucet in last year, the whole family complained about the flow and I hated it too, so I just replaced the aerator with an old one I had. It's been great since, no more waiting forever for stuff to fill.

Agree with generator12, we had a low flow toilet when they first came out and it never did the job in one flush, it took 2-3 every time. We replaced it with an older one that works. I think they work better now, but it will be a long time before I find out.

 

[generator12]

Re: New kitchen faucet, low and slow flow

I installed a low flow toilet for the lady and, despite its "highest flush rating", it disappointed immediately. I had to replace the flapper valve, which was double vented, with one that had only the drain hole in the middle of the ball, and set the tank water level a couple of inches higher than the factory setting. Only then would the thing perform close to expectations. There's no way that any objective testing could have labeled it as effective, yet that's how it was sold.

It makes me crazy to see things like this forced down our throats by a government agency.

 

[dingbat]

Re: New kitchen faucet, low and slow flow

We put some of those energy efficient faucets in resort rooms. Women were complaining that they did not have enough water to wash off their makeup. We then installed new old style water aerators and never had.

I would love to see those women trying to stick thee heads under the faucet to pressure wash their faces...lol

 

[NewfieDan]

Re: New kitchen faucet, low and slow flow

I have a similar faucet. How much did you drill it out?

Our faucet has a pull out head so just replacing the aerator won't work for me. I am thinking of drilling it too. Just not sure how much to drill without ruining the whole set up.

The restriction on mine is where the pull out hose connects to the outlet of the valve. It is designed to allow the pull out to be replced, but the orifice is so small tht it restricts the flow.

 

[bigdee]

Re: New kitchen faucet, low and slow flow

I have a similar faucet. How much did you drill it out?

.

Not sure exactly. Maybe 3/16 of an inch. It really doesn't matter how big it is...the bigger it is the greater the flow. The old faucets had no restriction at all except for the 3/8 water lines.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: New kitchen faucet, low and slow flow

I can peel skin with my re-engineered shower head at my place, it took some drilling fabrication, but it flows so well I can actually get the soap off in short order. Seems anything you buy now, needs to be re-engineered to fit actual consumer needs. The hand held shower head at the GF's house is like taking a shower with a squirt gun, you will eventually get the job done, but I'm taking my tools over this weekend.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: New kitchen faucet, low and slow flow

I installed a low flow toilet for the lady and, despite its "highest flush rating", it disappointed immediately. I had to replace the flapper valve, which was double vented, with one that had only the drain hole in the middle of the ball, and set the tank water level a couple of inches higher than the factory setting. Only then would the thing perform close to expectations. There's no way that any objective testing could have labeled it as effective, yet that's how it was sold.

It makes me crazy to see things like this forced down our throats by a government agency.

I rreplaced one of toilets with a water saver model but it was a 'fast flush' model with a 4 inch throat. Re-adjusted the float height (of course) that 4 inch throat FLOWS, and I mean RIGHT NOW! You cannot begin to compare the spped and volume of water that will pass thru the 4" to a standard 3".

I am going to have to change out the other two units in the house.

Plus, the seat height is about 2 inches higher, the bowl is elongated so the seating is so much more comfortable, combined with the padded seat Gramma likes it a lot better than the old toilet.