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July 19, 2022 3 min read

How to Adjust the Water Pressure of Your Bathroom Faucet

High-flow faucets are great when trying to fill up your tub or sink quickly.

High water pressure can be handy, but it can lead to problems like damaged pipes, broken fixtures, and higher bills later on.

If you're not prepared to swap out your bathroom faucets but want to steer clear of long-term issues, we've got some solutions for you.

Understanding Water Flow Rates

In the U.S., the maximum flow rate for bathroom faucets is 2.2 gallons per minute (GPM) at 60 pounds per square inch (PSI). The federal government has established this flow rate and mandated that bathroom and kitchen faucet manufacturers meet these standards.

Faucets with a WaterSense label meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s criterion for water efficiency and performance. WaterSense compliant faucets use at least 20 percent less water, save energy, and perform better than regular models. Many states have implemented even more strict water flow restrictions.

Water Pressure & Water Flow

Water pressure and water flow are often mixed up, but they're not the same. Water pressure is the force pushing water through pipes, while water flow is how much water moves through pipes at a given time.

High water pressure creates high water flow. When water pressure is sufficient, water flows through the pipe faster. Conversely, the lower the water pressure, the harder it will be to disperse water out of the pipes.

Both low and high water pressure present problems, especially if you're facing issues like low water pressure in the sink.

3 Ways to Regulate Water Flow of Your Bathroom Faucet

If your home has high water pressure and you wish to reduce your home’s monthly water usage, these three tips will do the trick:

1. Install water pressure regulator

When the water pressure is too high, it forces the water out of the pipes faster. While this may seem ideal, high-water pressure may do more harm than good.

High water pressure doesn't just waste water when you use your bathroom tap, it also causes plumbing problems. Most faucets are tested to handle up to 60 PSI.

To prevent these issues, ask a plumber to install a water pressure regulator. It'll reduce the risk of leaks and pipe bursts while saving water and cutting utility costs.

2. Replace the water aerator

As per the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), aerators are an effective technique for saving water in homes.

A water aerator is a small attachment fitted at the end of faucets. Aerators come with a screen, which helps span the opening of the tap and break the water flow into multiple smaller streams.

Installing a high-quality aerator helps regulate water flow from your faucet, leading to savings on utility bills. Most high-quality faucets today have built-in aerators. Check your bathroom faucet to see if the aerator is working, and install a new one if it needs replacement.

Consider purchasing a new bathroom faucet with a water-saving aerator, like Lulani’s Yasawa single-hole bathroom faucet.

Yasawa single-hole bathroom faucet Yasawa single-hole bathroom faucet

3. Adjust the valve underneath the sink

The shut-off valves underneath your sink play an integral role in controlling how much water goes through your pipes.

If you wish to reduce the water pressure to a particular faucet, turn the valves clockwise by a quarter rotation. Make sure to turn the cold and hot water valves equally to create more consistent water pressure.

Summing It Up

Reducing your home’s water usage could start with your faucets. You have various ways to save water, such as replacing your old water aerator, installing a water pressure regulator, and adjusting the shut-off valves.

If you’re looking to buy a replacement faucet, Lulani also has you covered! We offer a wide range of high-performing faucets that provide a gentle, splash-free water flow while saving both water and energy.

Check out our fantastic collection of bathroom faucets at www.lulani.com/collections/bathroom.

 


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