Yeah, those off-brand “eco” showerheads are a gamble. I’ve swapped out more than a few for people who thought they’d save water but just ended up frustrated. The worst is when the flow restrictor is so aggressive you’re basically rinsing off with a trickle. I get why they exist, but if it takes twice as long to shower, are you really saving anything?
I’m with you on aerators though—they’re underrated. I’ve put in a bunch of those low-flow ones and honestly, most folks can’t tell the difference unless they’re filling a pot or something. They’re cheap, easy to install, and don’t mess with the pressure much. I usually keep a couple in my kit just in case.
As for following water-saving rules, I try to stick to them where it makes sense, but I’m not religious about it. Some of the “ultra-low flow” stuff just doesn’t hold up, especially in older homes with old plumbing. You end up with clogs or people just taking longer showers or double-flushing toilets, which kind of defeats the purpose. I think there’s a sweet spot—good quality fixtures that are efficient but still do the job.
One time I replaced a leaky toilet flapper for a friend and swapped in one of those dual-flush kits. She was skeptical at first, but after a month her water bill actually dropped a bit. Not a huge amount, but enough that she noticed. Sometimes it’s the little fixes that add up over time.
Honestly, peace of mind is half the reason I bother too. Even if the bill doesn’t change much, it feels better knowing you’re not just dumping gallons down the drain for no reason. But yeah, I’ll take solid performance over saving an extra pint any day.
I’ve noticed the same thing with those ultra-low flow fixtures—sometimes they just don’t play nice with older plumbing. It’s like, you want to save water, but not at the cost of having to unclog drains every other week. I do think aerators are a smart compromise, though. They’re subtle, and most people don’t even realize they’re there. I’ve also found that fixing leaks, even tiny ones, makes a bigger difference than people expect. It’s not always about the big upgrades—sometimes just tightening up what’s already there is enough.
Honestly, I’ve run into this a lot—folks swap in those ultra-low flow toilets or showerheads, and suddenly the old pipes just can’t keep up. Had a call last month where a new low-flow toilet kept backing up because the drain slope was too shallow for the reduced water. Aerators, though, I agree—those are a no-brainer most of the time. And you’re spot on about leaks. I’ve seen pinhole leaks under a sink waste more water than a bad flush ever would. Sometimes it’s the little fixes that save the most hassle... and money.
Yeah, I’ve seen that too—sometimes the “fix” causes more headaches than the original problem. I get why folks want to save water, but if the drain can’t handle it, you’re just trading one issue for another. Ever notice how some of those older houses just don’t play nice with modern fixtures? I’m always a little paranoid about hidden leaks, though. Those tiny drips add up fast... makes you wonder what’s going on behind the walls sometimes.
Honestly, I’ve run into that a lot—folks swap in low-flow toilets or faucets, but the old pipes just can’t keep up. Here’s what I usually do: before installing anything “water-saving,” I check the drain lines for buildup or corrosion. If they’re sketchy, I’ll snake them or even replace sections. For leaks, I always run a tissue test around joints and valves after any work—sometimes you catch a slow drip that way before it turns into a mess behind the wall. It’s not foolproof, but it beats tearing out drywall later.
