Do reduced flow shower heads increase potential for leaks?

Posted by good ol' Bob on February 6, 2008, 4:42 pm

Seems to me that flow restriction would create a back pressure in the
plumbing upstream of the shower head which would be greater than a free flow
head. In particular, a leak could be created at the gooseneck connection
behind the wall, which would be undetectable until major damage has been
done to the structure in the wall. Would removing the flow restrictor
device or using a non flow restricted head help. It would provide a more
pleasant shower. But that's just me.

How would one go about removing the restricting feature if I wanted to go
that route?

Thanks in advance for any knowledgeable responses.

Posted by hallerb@aol.com on February 6, 2008, 4:48 pm

> Seems to me that flow restriction would create a back pressure in the
> plumbing upstream of the shower head which would be greater than a free fl=

> head. =EF=BF=BDIn particular, a leak could be created at the gooseneck con=

nection

> behind the wall, which would be undetectable until major damage has been
> done to the structure in the wall. =EF=BF=BDWould removing the flow restri=

ctor

> device or using a non flow restricted head help. =EF=BF=BDIt would provide=

a more

> pleasant shower. =EF=BF=BDBut that's just me.
> How would one go about removing the restricting feature if I wanted to go
> that route?
> Thanks in advance for any knowledgeable responses.

they come out very easy.

as for leaks it probably doesnt matter since any shower head creates a
restriction,

shower without flow restrictor much better. thats what we do.

its just a small easy to remove piece of plastic, has to be easy to
remove in some areas low water pressure requires flow restrictor
removal

Posted by Nate Nagel on February 6, 2008, 5:10 pm

good ol' Bob wrote:

> Seems to me that flow restriction would create a back pressure in the
> plumbing upstream of the shower head which would be greater than a free flow
> head. In particular, a leak could be created at the gooseneck connection
> behind the wall, which would be undetectable until major damage has been
> done to the structure in the wall. Would removing the flow restrictor
> device or using a non flow restricted head help. It would provide a more
> pleasant shower. But that's just me.
>
> How would one go about removing the restricting feature if I wanted to go
> that route?
>
> Thanks in advance for any knowledgeable responses.
>

Doesn't matter. The most pressure in your pipes is developed when the
water is shut off everywhere in the house, if something is leaking it
needs to be fixed, messing with the shower head will not help it.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

Posted by =?ISO-8859-1?Q?=22Blattus_Slaf on February 6, 2008, 6:17 pm

good ol' Bob wrote:

If your plumbing is installed correctly the shower head pipes should
hold back pressure as well as the pipes under your sink when the faucet
is closed. If there IS a leak you will find out quickly and get it
repaired. I have a button on my water saver shower head that allows me
to shut off the water while soaping up to save even more water. It does
not make the pipes leak. It works great because the water is the same
temperature when I turn it back on, no messing with the mixing hot and
cold valves. Not that I need to save water that much with my own well, I
save HOT water energy.

--
Blattus Slafaly ? 3 :) 7/8

Posted by Edwin Pawlowski on February 6, 2008, 10:09 pm

> Seems to me that flow restriction would create a back pressure in the
> plumbing upstream of the shower head which would be greater than a free
> flow head. In particular, a leak could be created at the gooseneck
> connection behind the wall, which would be undetectable until major damage
> has been done to the structure in the wall. Would removing the flow
> restrictor device or using a non flow restricted head help. It would
> provide a more pleasant shower. But that's just me.
> How would one go about removing the restricting feature if I wanted to go
> that route?
> Thanks in advance for any knowledgeable responses.

The back pressure is minimal and won't cause leaks. The gooseneck should be
able to withstand a minimum of 20 times the pressure it will see.

As for better showers, you need the right type of head. Don't confuse flow
with comfort. My low flow head is superior to most any shower I've ever
used. It is a Shower Saver brand and has a nice pattern.

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