Water flow restricton

[Peter Hawkins]

I'm going to fit a new monobloc mixer tap in the kitchen. The type I want to use requires a flow restrictor in the cold feed if there is a pressure difference between hot and cold, which is certainly the case for my house. Is there a specific device to use or can an isolation valve be used, turned half off. If I need a specific item does anyone know a supplier, online preferably.

Peter Hawkins

[andrewpreece]

I have used an isolation valve to resrict flow to a toilet cistern. My concern was that it was off the combi water feed and I didn't want the cistern hogging a lot of water when flushed, though I doubt there would have been any real problem. There is a bit of hiss from the valve when turned to a part open position, which is audible when the cistern is filling, but I suspect that would be masked by the sound of running water from your tap when it is in use.

I am not sure that it functions as a constant pressure device though: it will certainly reduce the feed pressure if you turn the mixer tap on full bore, but if you only crack the tap open slightly I suspect the pressure drop will be partly over the isolation valve and partly over the part-open tap. It's a fine distinction to make, but I thought I would point out the difference between a flow restrictor and a constant pressure device, in case it makes a difference to you.

Andy.

Andy.