Interesting to hear about your experience with the greywater diverter. I considered something similar when renovating my kitchen last year, but ultimately went a slightly different route.
My main issue was space—my kitchen area is compact, so every inch mattered. Initially, I was convinced that upgrading pipe diameter would be the simplest fix for better drainage and fewer clogs. But after consulting with a contractor friend (and spending way too many late nights researching plumbing forums), I realized that smart design could achieve the same outcome without sacrificing valuable cabinet space or going over budget.
Instead of upsizing pipes, I focused on optimizing the venting system and carefully positioning the trap to minimize unnecessary bends. I also invested in higher-quality fittings and made sure all connections were as smooth as possible internally—little details like burr removal and precision alignment made a noticeable difference. Honestly, I was skeptical at first that these small tweaks would matter much, but it's been over a year now, and drainage is flawless.
I do appreciate your sustainability angle though. While I didn't install a greywater diverter under my sink due to space constraints, I did end up installing low-flow fixtures and a small inline filtration system. It wasn't exactly cheap upfront, but it's significantly reduced water usage and improved water quality noticeably.
Funny enough, like you mentioned with your countertops, the savings from not oversizing pipes went straight into upgrading my backsplash tile to something more luxurious than I'd originally planned. Sometimes careful planning really does pay off in unexpected ways...
"Instead of upsizing pipes, I focused on optimizing the venting system and carefully positioning the trap to minimize unnecessary bends."
Couldn't agree more on this. People often underestimate how much proper venting and trap placement matter—it's not just about pipe diameter or fancy fixtures. When I redid my kitchen, I initially thought bigger pipes were the no-brainer solution too. But after talking to a plumber who specializes in high-end homes, I learned that careful layout and attention to detail (like deburring fittings thoroughly and ensuring smooth internal connections) can drastically improve drainage efficiency without sacrificing space.
I did end up going with a greywater diverter myself, but only because I had some extra room under the adjacent cabinet. Honestly, it was a tight squeeze, and if I'd known how tricky maintenance could be in such a confined space, I might've reconsidered. Still, the sustainability benefits are pretty rewarding, especially paired with low-flow fixtures.
Also, totally relate to your backsplash upgrade story—funny how plumbing savings can suddenly make premium tile seem like a perfectly reasonable splurge...
Wish I'd read this thread before tackling my kitchen sink install. I definitely fell into the "bigger pipes must be better" trap at first, but after a frustrating weekend and some YouTube deep dives, I realized venting was my real issue. Once I fixed that, everything drained perfectly. Curious though, anyone else find greywater systems worth the hassle in smaller kitchens? Seems like maintenance could get annoying fast...
"Curious though, anyone else find greywater systems worth the hassle in smaller kitchens? Seems like maintenance could get annoying fast..."
Had a similar thought when I redid my kitchen a couple years back. I looked into greywater recycling pretty extensively—got deep into forums and even talked to a plumber friend who installed them regularly. Here's what I gathered:
- Greywater setups are great in theory, especially if you're environmentally conscious or trying to cut down on water bills. But for smaller kitchens, the pay-off isn't always there.
- Maintenance can be a real headache if you're not diligent. Food particles, grease, and soap scum build up quickly, meaning you'll spend more time than you'd expect cleaning filters and making sure everything flows properly.
- Space is another issue. In small kitchens, every square foot counts. Greywater systems typically need extra plumbing components like diverter valves, filters, or holding tanks. Unless you're planning ahead with plenty of under-sink space, things get cramped fast.
- Also worth mentioning: depending on your local codes, you might face restrictions on how and where you can reuse greywater—especially from kitchen sinks due to potential contaminants.
Personally, I decided against it because the potential hassle outweighed the benefits for my situation. Instead, I focused on installing low-flow fixtures and optimizing venting (like you discovered) to improve overall efficiency. Not saying greywater isn't worthwhile—it definitely has its place—but for smaller kitchens or limited DIY experience, simpler solutions might give you better bang-for-your-buck.
Just my two cents...
I get your points, but I'd push back a little on the hassle factor. I've seen smaller greywater setups work pretty smoothly, even in compact kitchens. The key seems to be using a really fine pre-filter and being disciplined about scraping dishes before rinsing.
"Maintenance can be a real headache if you're not diligent."
True, but honestly, once you get into the habit, it's not that big of a deal. Depends on your priorities I guess... For some folks the environmental benefits outweigh the minor inconvenience.
