Water Pressure

The outgoing water pressure from a "tankless" water heater is relatively low. Consequently, these devices are not generally recommended for use with pressure-balanced units (due to the possible differences in water pressure from the hot and cold lines). For example, if you were to have 20 PSI on the hot supply line and 50 PSI on the cold, your resulting operating pressure in the shower will be reduced (since pressure balancing adjusts to the low pressure). But maybe that gets a little too involved. So to simply answer your question, no. We don’t recommend "tankless" water heaters for use with pressure-balanced units.

Oh, if only. Pressure balance faucets use different valve technology than non-pressure balance units. To obtain the benefits of pressure balance, you will need to purchase a new Peerless® pressure balance faucet with our unique ScaldGuard® valve.

Plumbing codes require our faucets to meet a certain flow rate, depending on the model. Removing the water restrictors or aerator would cause our faucets to no longer meet this code. If you are noticing decreased water pressure or a poor quality flow rate, you may have debris in your aerator or showerheads.

To clean the aerator or showerhead, remove it by turning it counterclockwise.

Soak it overnight in vinegar, then flush it with water, rubbing it with a toothbrush if the deposits are stubborn. Then re-install the aerator or showerhead.

 First of all, congratulations on the new home. Second of all, this is a fairly common, correctible problem. During the first few days of faucet use, a small amount of debris will be flushed out of your pipe system. In addition, particles of solder, copper chips, Teflon® tape and other installation materials may get caught in aerators and showerheads. Occasionally, a chip might damage the valve seat that provides the watertight seal. The tips below will help you avoid such problems. It’s a good idea to follow these procedures every time the water in your home has been turned off for repairs.

TO FLUSH A KITCHEN OR LAVATORY FAUCET:

1. Remove the aerator, and the black sealing gasket above it.

    

   

    

2. Turn faucet handle(s) to full on hot and cold mixed position(s), and flush lines for two minutes before turning off water with handle(s).
3. Put the aerator back on.

TO FLUSH A TUB / SHOWER FAUCET:

1. Remove the showerhead (if applicable).

    

   

    

2. Turn handle(s) to full on hot and cold mixed position(s).
3. Flush spout for two minutes without moving handle(s).
4. If you have a showerhead, divert water to it and flush for two minutes. BE SAFE! Make sure that the cold water flows FIRST, and that the rotational handle limit stop is set properly. Click here to see information on setting the adjustable limit stop.
5. Put the showerhead back on.

Some debris and/or foreign material in the lines may be too large to pass through the kitchen, lavatory or tub/shower faucet. To remove this type of debris:

1. Turn off the hot and cold water supplies.
2. Remove all internal components.
3. Turn the water supplies back on, and let the water run for 30 to 60 seconds. (For kitchen and lavatory faucets, turn a bucket or similar large container upside-down over the faucet to deflect water back into the sink.)
4. Turn the water supplies off again.
5. Reassemble the faucet.
6. Turn the water supplies back on.

The flow restrictors required for aerators and showerheads can clog, resulting in greatly reduced flow rates. To correct this problem, remove the aerator or showerhead and make sure the flow restrictor is not clogged.

Flushing the system properly will help keep this kind of problem from recurring. In fact, every time the water in your home has been turned off for repairs, it’s a good idea to follow the procedures listed below.

TO FLUSH A KITCHEN OR LAVATORY FAUCET:

1. Remove the aerator, and the black sealing gasket above it.
   
2. Turn faucet handle(s) to full on hot and cold mixed position(s), and flush lines for two minutes before turning off water with handle(s).
3. Put the aerator back on.

TO FLUSH A TUB / SHOWER FAUCET:

1. Remove the showerhead (if applicable).
   
2. Turn handle(s) to full on hot and cold mixed position(s).
3. Flush spout for two minutes without moving handle(s).
4. If you have a showerhead, divert water to it and flush for two minutes. BE SAFE! Make sure that the cold water flows FIRST, and that the rotational handle limit stop is set properly. Click here to see information on setting the adjustable limit stop.
5. Put the showerhead back on.

Some debris and/or foreign material in the lines may be too large to pass through the kitchen, lavatory or tub/shower faucet. To remove this type of debris:

1. Turn off the hot and cold water supplies.
2. Remove all internal components.
3. Turn the water supplies back on, and let the water run for 30 to 60 seconds. (For kitchen and lavatory faucets, turn a bucket or similar large container upside-down over the faucet to deflect water back into the sink.)
4. Turn the water supplies off again.
5. Reassemble the faucet.
6. Turn the water supplies back on.

Please keep in mind that all new faucets since 1992 are restricted to conserve water per EPACT92 code mandates.  Older faucets were produced before those restrictions went into effect.

In addition to intentional flow restriction, new installations can sometimes have reduced flow due to clogged flow restrictors, if the lines are not flushed prior to installation of aerators or showerheads.

Physics, my friend. You see, multiple usage of water in your house causes fluctuations in water pressure. If, while showering, your water temperature changes substantially and pressure drops when water is called for elsewhere in the house, your faucet is not equipped with a pressure balance device. Under certain circumstances, this could present a safety hazard (say, scalding). While no faucet manufacturer can compensate for the water pressure fluctuation, Peerless® offers pressure balance shower, tub and tub/shower valves that feature our exclusive ScaldGuard® valve. This safety feature maintains a balanced pressure of hot and cold water to maintain water temperature within a range of +/-3° Fahrenheit when a valve is turned on or off elsewhere in the house.