Ideally, bathroom sink taps should produce 5.7 – 8.3 litres per minute. If the tap takes longer, you have a low flow rate, and if it fills the gallons faster, the flow might be too fast. Whichever side is problematic because the slow flow will test your patience, and a fast flow will lead to water wastage.
Most basin taps have specified water flow rates, so you can tell beforehand whether the tap is suitable. Some taps, like the low-pressure mixer taps, are designed to have a slow water flow.
The tap you choose will often influence the water flow rate. Your preference, water pressure, and sink size will also determine the water flow. A high-pressure tap will be unsuitable for a small sink because it will splash all over the place.
So, even if you have a high-pressure tap, it may be wasted on a small sink. You will have no option but to control the water flow, meaning you’ll miss the true potential of the tap.
Water Pressure vs Water Flow Rate
When buying a basin tap, consider water pressure because the water flow will frustrate you if you get the wrong faucet. For example, if you have high water pressure, you need a tap with a high flow rate. Likewise, a low-flow tap is suitable for areas with low water pressure.
If you use a low-flow tap in an area with high water pressure, the tap will spray and splash.
To measure water pressure, get a 1-litre jug and a stopwatch.
- Put the jug under the tap and open it.
- Turn off the water after 6 seconds.
- Check how much water you collected within that time.
- Multiply the quantity of water (in litres) by 10. This shows how much water you would have collected if the tap had run for a minute.
For example, if you collected 0.6 litres and multiplied it by 60, you would have collected 6 liters in a minute. This means you have low pressure. If you collected 10 – 15 liters in a minute, it is a sign of high water pressure.
Regulations On Water Flow Rate
Singapore has set the limit to 6 litres per minute for bathroom sink taps. These are set regulations that you should consider when buying a basin tap. Fortunately, most brands in Singapore consider these limitations when designing basin taps.
So, the water pressure will influence your decision even more because even though there is an upper water flow limit, there is no lower limit.
The water pressure is an excellent guide on the best tap to get regarding water flow. You will also avoid making mistakes when buying a basin sink. Instead of making assumptions about the water pressure in your area, you should perform the test to figure out the pressure.
If water pressure fluctuates, test the period when the water is most in use. This will give you a better picture of the ideal water flow rate.