New Shower Too Low-Flow!


I hope this is an okay thing to post here. I tried GardenWeb but didn’t get much response.

First off, I know nothing about plumbing, so please keep that in mind! I recently had my shower body and bathroom sink hardware replaced. They look great, but unfortunately the water that comes out of them is quite leisurely. It takes me twice as long to rinse conditioner out of my hair in the shower, and the sink faucet pressure is so low, it’s difficult to rinse my toothbrush.

The previous showerhead I had was low-flow, but this new one is very weak compared to that one. On the other hand, the pressure in my old sink faucet was very high. I realize I should expect to see some reduction there, but I am disappointed that there is barely any pressure at all.

My plumber, when I asked him if there was anything he could do about this, said no, that’s just the way they are made.

I don’t want to have to replace the sink faucet. Is there something I can attach to it to make the spray at least *feel* more forceful? I am not wedded to the showerhead–I don’t particularly like the way it looks anyway–so I am thinking maybe I can replace that. But will that help, or is the problem in the shower body itself?

Any advice would be appreciated. Remember, I know nothing about plumbing, so please err on the side of overexplaining. :)

BTW, the showerhead and sink faucet are Danze (the Brandywood line).

Categories: Plumbing
By renonoob | 12/06/2009 9:14 PM | Comment

Cheviot Pedestal Sink For Sale


I bought a Cheviot sink that it turned out I could not use because my faucet didn’t have enough room to clear the rim around the back. I decided to get a different sink. I couldn’t return the first sink because the plumber trashed the box the lavatory came in, so now I want to try to sell it.

It’s Cheviot’s smaller antique pedestal style (350swh8) with holes for 8″ widespread handles. It’s 22″ wide, 18.5″ deep, 35.75″ high. I would like to get $200 for it but am open to offers. It’s located in Windsor Terrace; you will have to pick it up.

You can see more info about the sink here: http://www.vintagetub.com/asp/product_detail.asp?item_no=c350swh4&utm_id=ID2001

If interested, email me at missproblemlady AT yahoo.com. Thanks.

Categories: Kitchen & Bath
By renonoob | 09/26/2009 10:37 PM | Comment

Updating 1950s bathroom


I live in a co-op built in the early fifties. Two different plumbers have told me that both my shower and sink plumbing should be replaced because they are in such bad shape they can’t be repaired very well. (In the shower, the diverter no longer works, and in the sink, the faucet drips and one handle leaks.)

So, like many people here, I am looking for a contractor–but one who is not going to try to convince me to rip out all my pink tile and install beige travertine. I just want to put in new plumbing, a new sink (old one’s also badly worn), and patch tile as necessary (not just where the shower is fixed, but also a few small areas where the existing tile was patched at some point with the wrong color). Any recommendations of someone who is very sensitive to restoration? (BTW, I have some extra matching tile from when neighbors gut-renovated their bath.)

Final question: Is it true (as one plumber told me) that if I replace the shower plumbing, I must install a one-handle control rather than the two handles I now have?

Categories: Kitchen & Bath
By renonoob | 05/03/2009 10:38 PM | Comment