Down with low flow shower heads!

[Rick in PA]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Originally Posted By: Rick in PA
We have one of these, no complaints:

That looks very similar to mine. It's a hi-pressure/low-volume sprayer with about a dozen tiny spray holes inside the showerhead, right?


Yup, 10 holes, actually (just counted them).

I think it's the high-velocity water that does the trick.

OVERK1LL: not sure of the brand, we got it long ago. It's stamped "SAVER SHOWER". The picture I found on the Internet is just like it.

It's actually just a simple, basic, low-cost shower head, nothing fancy.

"It's not easy being green!"
(Sorry, couldn't resist, just a little teasing folks.)

 

[DBMaster]

I have one of those jet-engine looking small heads. I think they work very well. I cobbled together some pipe fittings, a flexible hose, and a generic handheld showerhead bracket and made mine into a handheld. I LOVE that old Seinfeld episode! Much like water saving toilets, the low flow showerheads of today are much better than they were 15 years ago. I don't know if you have noticed, but the standard for toilets went from 1.6 gallons per flush to 1.28 a couple of years ago. Faucet aerators went from 2.5 to 2.0, and now are at a 1.5 gpm level. It may seem like a PITA, but over time we WILL see water shortages in some places.

My own custom low flow handheld showerhead is the best I have ever used and it is a 2.5 gpm device.

 

[Papa Bear]

I always find, remove, drill out and reinstall the plastic restrictor discs in new faucetts/valves etc.

 

[sleddriver]

Originally Posted By: Rick in PA
We have one of these, no complaints:

I've used one of those for years. But it was still too restrictive. So I bored out the restrictor with my drill press and added a quick shut-off valve, so I can easily vary the output.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Id agree on an availability basis... Us in the NE dont have a water issue usually.

However there is an infrastructure aspect to it also, which I believe is part of why this stuff gets pushed in areas where it is silly on the surface.

One thing many people overlook: many people in the Northeast (including my mother and myself) have wells! Yes, I DO want to conserve water!


But wait, others say that when you have a well, it doesnt matter:

Originally Posted By: Cujet
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Have you heard about the socially-responsible practice called water conservation?

Nope, not gonna fall for that one. We have a well and septic system. It matters not how much water I use. I can pump 40,000 gallons per day and the water level will remain unchanged.


LOL.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Those people do not comprehend the meaning of the words "water table". Wells can and do go dry!

 

[tom slick]

Around here it's only $17 a foot to drill a new 700' well.
You may not pay for water but you pay to run the pump.

Buy a better showerhead. A Speakman, or the Delta copy is enough to keep even a fatbody all wet.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Have you heard about the socially-responsible practice called water conservation?

I've found I have to take almost twice as long of a shower with a low flow shower head.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: Shannow


Shower heads need enough flow to get the soap off quickly, or people run around in them for hours while trying to get the slippery feel off themselves.


Exactly! With enough water flow, you can get the nooks and crannies faster.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: Cujet
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Have you heard about the socially-responsible practice called water conservation?

Nope, not gonna fall for that one. We have a well and septic system. It matters not how much water I use. I can pump 40,000 gallons per day and the water level will remain unchanged.

By the way, my shower has 6 shower heads, is powered by a 3 stage, 2HP Goulds pump, a high flow dual media softener and 2cu/ft carbon tank. And, my water heater is an 80 gallon hybrid unit, which also airconditions my garage.


Dude, that setup is epic!!


Seriously. I want my shower measured in horsepower.

 

[crinkles]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Seriously. I want my shower measured in horsepower.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Maybe it really is time to start making showerheads tamper-proof (say, brazing the whole thing together and making the restrictor inaccessible).

Maybe you could stay the BLEEP out of my bathroom.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
I've found I have to take almost twice as long of a shower with a low flow shower head.

Nothing like letting the pointy headed do-gooder bureaucrats tell you how to take a shower.

 

[mechtech2]

There are high velocity low flows heads that seem to be pretty good.
OF course, needle nosed pliers and a bit of elbow grease with a low flow type can be a good combination!

 

[HerrStig]

Interesting pointyhead do-gooder story. Town nearby is divided into the "haves' with town water and sewer, and the "have nots" with NEITHER. Since the have nots get to pay debt service on the water and sewer systems they DON'T get to use they occasionally get restive and say "why not water and sewers for US, as well?"
The "haves" then tell them why they "DON'T WANT " either. Latest attempt to quiet them down, the "haves" bring in a pointy head from a local university to tell the "have nots" that "you don't want sewers" because the septic systems RECHARGE your groundwater and your WELLs will go dry. In other words you are drinking each other's sewage but "you don't want sewers". The pointy head is touted as an "environmentalist". He's a Luddite.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Actually, I DON'T want sewers or municipal water! That's one reason I live where I do. I LIKE not having a water bill or a sewer bill. It costs me maybe $15-20/month for the well pump...that's it.

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: Cujet
Ha ha,

You are forgetting the evolutionary aspect of human cleanliness. Up until 130 years ago, a shower was an unheard of thing. The bath tub existed for centuries, however, as you travel back in time, it (a bath) was a difficult affair. Remember, running water is a huge factor in health and well being.

So, naturally, we humans LOVE our showers. They are comparatively new, and very effective.


Interesting sideline, but the trends of all of the major nasty diseases were heading south due to simple hygiene long before the modern medical miracles came along.

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
However there is an infrastructure aspect to it also, which I believe is part of why this stuff gets pushed in areas where it is silly on the surface.


Like many things, there used to be a "plan" for how to grow the country. My stat had mapped out population trigger points, and designs in place for new dams to be built to provide water security for just about any eventuality, and Oz is pretty dry, so the plans were pretty big.

But since the 70s, none of that infrastructure is being built, as we "get by" pretty well 90+% of the time.

When the dams are full, we are told it's "good times", and grow that green grass...then when the dams get low, restrictions are imposed.

We had a stupid situation in the last drought period when you were only allowed to wash cars odd and even days depending on licence plate. We had a wicked fine red dust storm (posted pics of), and a neighbour reported my partner for washing a car on the wrong day. Authorities came around and threatened a $200+ fine, refusing the argument that the car was unsafe to drive covered in dust.

Anyway, it rained again, and we are in good times, and neighbours don't care that you've washed your car.

However, with Industry using 10+ times the amount of water on my behalf than I do, I can't see a low flow shower making enough of a difference to really matter.

I'm not an advocate ever of wanton consumption in any regard...

 

[Stewart Fan]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: Rick in PA
We have one of these, no complaints:

What brand is that?


Ours are made by Peerless.

 

[Cujet]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Those people do not comprehend the meaning of the words "water table". Wells can and do go dry!


That may be true elsewhere, when related to pumping. But, here in Sunny South Florida, the ground is sand, and very permeable. There is a reason why my septic and well must be so incredibly far apart.

When it rains here, my well instantly fills up. Sandy soil FTW.