"Showerheads too—low-flow models aren't as weak as they used to be, actually decent pressure now."
Glad you mentioned this... I've installed a few low-flow showerheads recently and was genuinely surprised how far they've come. They're definitely worth it, both in water savings and comfort. Curious though, have you tried those aerators with adjustable flow settings? I've found them pretty effective for kitchen sinks—easy to switch between tasks without wasting extra water.
I've been thinking about those adjustable aerators too, but haven't gotten around to trying them yet. Do they hold up well over time? I've noticed some kitchen gadgets start great but then get clogged or leaky after a few months. Also wondering if they're easy enough to clean—nothing worse than something that's supposed to save water ending up wasting it because it's dripping constantly...
I've installed a bunch of those adjustable aerators for clients, and honestly, they're pretty solid overall. But you're right—like anything else, they can get clogged up if your water has a lot of minerals or sediment. Had one at my own place that started dripping after about six months. Turned out it was just some buildup inside. Took it apart, soaked it in vinegar for a couple hours, and it was good as new.
Cleaning them isn't too bad either, just a bit fiddly sometimes. The trick is remembering to do it before it gets really bad...otherwise you're stuck scrubbing tiny holes with a toothbrush (been there, done that). I'd say they're worth it though, especially if you're trying to cut down on water use. Just don't expect them to be totally maintenance-free forever.
"Cleaning them isn't too bad either, just a bit fiddly sometimes."
Yeah, totally agree with you there. I've noticed that the vinegar soak usually does the trick, but every once in a while, I come across one that's stubborn as heck and needs a little extra persuasion. Have you ever tried using citric acid instead of vinegar? I've heard some plumbers swear by it for heavy mineral buildup, but haven't personally tested it yet...curious if anyone's had better luck with that.
"Have you ever tried using citric acid instead of vinegar?"
Funny you mention citric acid—I had a customer once who swore by it, said vinegar was "too weak" for his water issues. I was skeptical at first (you know how customers can be...), but honestly, it worked surprisingly well on some stubborn showerheads. Still, vinegar usually does the trick for most cases, and it's cheaper and easier to find. Citric acid's good, but I wouldn't call it a miracle cure or anything.