Low Mains Flow rate - is it the tap?

timod

Hi all,

I recently refurbished my house - got a new kitchen tap installed - Franke Maris with a pull out nozzle. (http://pim-kitchensystems.franke.com/pim/images_lr/pdf/Maris-Pull-Out-Nozzle-May-2014.pdf)

It's rated for 0.5bar to 5bar pressure. It's connected to the mains, but the water pressure seems very low. I don't have anything to measure pressure, so I measured the flow rate tonight. (non peak time)

My outside tap can fill a 10L bucket in 35 seconds, so a flow rate of about 17 litres per minute. The bath, which is gravity fed, can fill the bucket in 1min, so 10 litres per min. My kitchen sink fills it in 1m48 seconds, so about 5.5 litres per minute.

Could it be the tap, or could it be the pipework?

Tim

nmacc

The first thing to check is the filter at the tap spout. Unscrew the end and remove the little grille. It's very common for these to plug up, especially after a refurb when dirt can get into the pipes.

Then check the flexible hoses feeding the tap are not kinked. With a pull-out nozzle you will have third, long flexy to feed the nozzle. Check this for kinks and these usually have a weight attached to help pull the hose back into the tap. Sometimes the weight is clamped onto the hose in such a way that it restricts the flow.

timod

Thanks Nmacc,

Checked both those things. There was a few grains at the filter, but nothing major, and the hoses & weight were all ok. I've left a message with my plumber to see if he can investigate.

Maybe low flow rate is a blessing in disguise with the impending water charges!

Tim