Table of Contents
🧾 Overview
The Barclay’s Buys Filtered Showerhead is a high pressure showerhead with a chlorine filter. The showerhead is designed to reduce 80 to 90% of chlorine from shower water, reducing common chlorine-related problems like headaches, respiration issues and dandruff.
With a filter that lasts between 6 and 8 months, this showerhead also comes with 1 replacement filter alongside the pre-installed filter, so you can wait longer before needing to pay for replacements in the future.
If you want to save water while enjoying good water pressure, the Barclay’s Buys showerhead can help you to do so. It levels water consumption to below 2.5 GPM but enhances water flow from the showerhead. The unit is strong and sturdy, with a metal casing and installation parts to ensure the system doesn’t crack or break with heat and water pressure. The showerhead has 3 settings to choose from: rain and massage, which you can toggle between on the unit itself.
💡 Features
Showerhead water filter
The Barclay’s Buys showerhead features a water filter that can “remove up to 90% of chlorine and reduce TDS”. The filter comes pre-installed in the showerhead. A replacement filter is also included.
Metal casing
For sturdiness and durability, the showerhead features metal casing which is less prone to damage like cracking and leaking with prolonged use.
Showerhead
The showerhead is combined with the metal casing that holds the filter in place. It has three shower settings, including a massage setting.
Installation instructions
The unit comes with installation instructions for setting it up yourself. The user manual also provides information on how and when to change the filter.
🚦 Performance
The Barclay’s Buys showerhead has a pretty good performance for a shower filter. It keeps water consumption below 2.5 GPM to help you save water, while still enhancing water pressure for a powerful shower stream. The filter also lasts for between 6 and 8 months, which is just above standard lifespan for a showerhead filter of its kind.
One thing that is less clear about the Barclay’s Buys showerhead is the manufacturer’s claim that it can reduce TDS. Many other manufacturers of showerhead filters make sure to include in their marketing materials that showerhead water filters are not capable of removing TDS. No filter that fits into a showerhead unit has the right capacity for removing these tiny particles from water – only reverse osmosis units can filter water to that level. That does leave us questioning how true the manufacturer’s claim is in this case. We wouldn’t suggest buying the filter purely if you’re looking for TDS removal.
🔧 Installation & Maintenance
Before buying the Barclay’s Buys showerhead, first check that your shower arm is standard half-inch threaded, as the showerhead is compatible to shower arms at this diameter. If not, you may need to separately purchase a shower arm that’s suitable, or look for an adapter, which may be difficult to find.
Installing the unit is straightforward, as everything you need for installation is included. The filter comes pre-installed inside the unit, so your main job is connecting the showerhead up to your shower arm. Once installed, flush the filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions, then it’s ready for use.
You won’t need to do much in the name of maintenance with this filter unit. Just change the filter when your water starts to run out of the showerhead at a lower pressure, and give the unit a clean every now and then. It’s made from metal casing, so it should last you long into the future providing you look after it.
📝 Filter Info
The Barclay’s Buys filter is designed to remove up to 90% of chlorine, but unlike its top competitors, it isn’t ANSI or NSF certified to do so. In this case, you will just have to trust the manufacturer’s warranty, and check out customer reviews for reassurance. The majority of customers are incredibly impressed with the showerhead’s chlorine-removal capabilities, but if you want to be sure that the filter works after buying it, get yourself a chlorine testing kit and test the before and after levels of chlorine in your water.
When the filter becomes clogged, you’ll need to replace it with a new one. Though it’s designed to last for up to 8 months, you may find that you need to change it before this time if your water has a particularly high sediment content, or you have a large family that takes lots of showers. Replacement filters can be bought directly through the manufacturer – they are significantly cheaper than the majority of replacement filters available today.
🔔 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very simple to install
- Energy saving, helps control water consumption without affecting pressure
- Replacement filters are low-cost
Cons
- Advertised to reduce TDS, but this is questionable
- No NSF-ANSI certification
- Has been reported to make a humming noise for some users
❔ Frequently Asked Questions
Does this showerhead swivel?
Yes, the showerhead connects onto the shower arm with a ball joint, which lets you move it from left to right and up and down. You can adjust the tightness of the connection to make the showerhead easier or more difficult to swivel.
How do I know when the filter needs changing?
There are a few signs to look out for. First, you may notice the filter itself is taking on a dull grey-brown color. More obvious than this, though, is that your water pressure will drop significantly. This is a sign that your filter is clogged with sediment, and needs replacing with a new one.
Do I need to use the tape?
The showerhead comes with tape for installation. It’s a good idea to use this tape to prevent leaks from the showerhead at the connecting point to the shower arm. You shouldn’t notice the tape once installed, as it sits underneath the showerhead’s installation fittings, so it won’t affect its aesthetic value.
Is the water supposed to stay in the showerhead when I turn it off?
Yes, a small amount of water will sit inside the showerhead, which will be expelled from the head the next time you turn it on. This is actually a normal feature of all showerheads, and it’s only because this one is clear that you will notice it happening.
Will this remove the sulfur smell from water?
To some extent, the showerhead may help to minimize the sulfur “rotten egg” smell, but don’t rely on it to entirely get rid of it. Mainly, the filter focuses on reducing chlorine levels in water.
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