Thursday, September 18, 2008

Aering Out the Shower

Master Plumber and All-Around Good Guy, Rob Johnson is back today to show us how easy it is to replace our existing shower heads with low-flow models. Thanks, Rob!

Purchasing low flow shower heads is another no-brainer. Most old shower heads are 6 GPM (gallons per minute) and you can get a low-flow head that is 2 GPM at your local hardware store. So, if you take a 5 minute shower that's 20 gallons saved. A shower every day means in a month you'll save 600 gallons. Now multiply that by however many folks shower in your house. Think of all those gallons (and $$$) saved!

Changing to a low-flow shower head is very simple - you just unscrew the old shower head with channel locks or regular pliers (counter-clock wise). Get some Teflon tape, cover the threads of the old pipe (clockwise), then just start putting your new shower head on. Keep turning clockwise until it stops, then tighten with pliers - carefully. No more than ½ a turn.

Geez, that's a lot simpler than I thought it would be. But holy crap - 600 gallons per person, per month! That's crazy savings! If you get off your lazy duff to do one thing this weekend - make it installing a low flow shower head! And get me a beer while you're up, will ya?

5 comments:

Robj98168 said...

Rob is not a master plumber- just a maintenance plumber LOL

Anonymous said...

Any recommended brands? I don't mind low flow...but I also don't like the feeling of being trickled on. I'm fancy like that.

Robj98168 said...

Hey Burbs- when do we get to wash our towels. This morning mine stood up and held a shive to my throat

Robj98168 said...

Waterpik has a new line of shower heads at 1.5 and 2.0 gpm. Shower heads have come a long way Baby- the don't trickle like you said. I would suggest you go to Lowes or Home Depot or your neighborhood hardware and ask- They should know whats good in your area

Burbanmom said...

Rob, for your own safety, I'd suggest washing your towel tonight.

And hiding the shives.

;-)