Taps for low water flow

pineapple

I'm having my kitchen refitted and have read that I need special taps due to the low water flow. I've seen online references to low pressure taps but my pressure is fine - it's the flow rate that is the issue due to the old pipework/shared water supply. However the result is the same - water comes out very slowly! So do I definitely need 'low pressure taps'? The existing taps have been in years and I can't imagine they are anything special.

that

Generally speaking...
The mono block, and some leaver taps have ceramic cartridges. These cartridges either only have a small hole and are often held together under pressure. On their adverts you will see something like needs 2 bar pressure. Some taps will flow badly, otheres will dribble and some system wouldnt have enough pressure to pus the water out.


The old taps were a pipe, and a rubber washer to cover the opening. The water did not have to push past anything and just flowed. these taps are often rated at 0.1bar minimum pressure.

With enough flow, the pressure will build, so if you block a low flow pipe it will often become pressurised.

The trick is go for a tap with 0.1 bar pressure, and not 1 bar.

pineapple

Thanks I think I finally understand. I suppose at a push I might end up having to keep the old taps.

that

have a look at bes.co.uk as they rate the minimum pressure on some like this, but this working pressure could be a bit high? Look for 0 or 0.1bar (same thing more or less) . https://www.bes.co.uk/inta-non-concussive-basin-mixer-tap-20357#product-details-tab

Another workaround it to get a pump to pressurise the water, often used in showers.

You can test the tap. If you can freely and easily blow air through it then it should be ok, if it resists and your cheeks are puffed, then leave it alone.

Lorian

Are you sure your stopcock(s) are fully open?

ceredigion

I would also get the fitters to run as much as possible in 22mm pipe , use pipe benders and not knuckles and run pipe right to tap and not use these nasty flexible tap connector things that I hate with a passion.

pineapple

Lorian wrote: »

Are you sure your stopcock(s) are fully open?

Yes - so far as I can tell. It's an ancient cottage with 'foibles'. There are two external points of entry for water. The first/closest to the mains is the ground floor bathroom at the side of the house. The second/furthest away is the kitchen at the front.
There are stop taps in both rooms.
The bathroom flow rate is much better - possibly because there is a shorter run of pipe to it (or that stretch might be in better condition).
The water company tested it and the actual pressure at the mains is 3 bar. They said the low flow rate was due to the old metal pipework which gets clogged up. Plus being on a shared supply doesn't help. Also I don't have a tank so water comes direct.

that

is your hot and cold water tank in the attic, or like in a flat in a cupboard at head height?

I had one of the electric descallers where you write wire around the pipe, and after a year when my element blew got to look in the tank. I was sceptical to say the least, the tank had mostly no scale, however where the nut and the element join between the two sides of the element there was a half inch lump of scale, that I am sure would have dissolved over time too.

The question is in an old house, would you want to dissolve the scale the covers lead pipes?

pineapple

that wrote: »

is your hot and cold water tank in the attic, or like in a flat in a cupboard at head height?

As said, I don't have a tank. The water just comes direct from the mains supply.