"Maybe try a different showerhead? Some brands manage decent pressure even with restrictors in place."
Good call on this. Had a client once who insisted on removing the restrictor for better pressure, and sure enough, within a year his pipes started acting up. Ended up costing him quite a bit to fix the leaks. Personally, I've had luck with some of those aerating showerheads—they mix air into the water flow and feel stronger without actually using more water. Might be worth checking out...
Yeah, aerating showerheads can be a solid solution. I've installed a few of those myself, and clients usually end up surprised at how good the pressure feels without actually increasing water usage. The air-water mix really does make a noticeable difference.
But honestly, removing restrictors causing pipe leaks sounds a bit unusual to me. Typically, restrictors are there to limit flow and conserve water, but they're not directly related to pipe integrity. Maybe your client's plumbing was already borderline or had other underlying issues? I've seen older homes with galvanized pipes that start acting up once you mess with water pressure or flow rates. Could've been something like that.
Still, I agree it's generally best practice to leave restrictors in place. They're there for a reason—both for conservation and to keep your plumbing system balanced. Plus, if you're in an area with strict water-saving regulations, inspectors can sometimes flag modifications during home sales or renovations. Had a homeowner once who had to reinstall restrictors before selling because the inspector caught it during the walkthrough.
Another thing worth mentioning is that some showerheads have adjustable spray patterns or pressure settings built-in. If you're not getting enough pressure, sometimes just tweaking the settings can help without needing to swap out the whole fixture or remove parts. Might save you some hassle and money down the line...
Yeah, aerating heads are surprisingly effective. Had a client skeptical about them until I installed one—now he won't shut up about how "powerful" his showers feel. And agreed, messing with restrictors rarely ends well... inspectors love catching those little mods during sales.
"inspectors love catching those little mods during sales."
Yeah, learned that the hard way myself. Had a buyer's inspector flag a showerhead mod once—ended up delaying closing by almost two weeks. Aerating heads are definitely the smarter route; they keep you compliant without sacrificing pressure. Plus, tenants rarely notice the difference anyway... fewer headaches all around.
"Aerating heads are definitely the smarter route; they keep you compliant without sacrificing pressure."
Totally agree with you here. Switched out my old showerheads for aerating ones a couple years ago, and honestly, it's been smooth sailing ever since. The water savings add up quicker than you'd think, and I haven't noticed any real drop in comfort or pressure. Plus, it's always nice not having to stress about inspections down the line... lesson learned, right?
