How to Fix Low Water Pressure in the Kitchen Sink

Common Reasons for Low Water Pressure

• Clogged Aerator – A faucet aerator is a small end piece for the faucet that has a screen disk that covers the spout. The aerator is the last place water makes contact before it exits the faucet spout. It’s built to manage water flow and can easily get clogged up by minerals. If you have hard water in your area, it’s especially likely to have minerals clog up your faucet. To clean a clogged aerator, use a towel to wrap around the tap and unscrew the aerator with channel lock pliers. Once you detach the aerator, check if there is anything blocking the mesh screen. Clean the aerator by rinsing it, or you can use distilled white vinegar and soak the aerator in it, using a brush to clean the aerator. If there are still blockages after you’ve cleaned the aerator, you may need to buy a new one.
• Clogged Cartridge – The cartridge controls opening the valves that let water flow through your faucet. The same mineral build-up problem can be seen inside the cartridge as well. Unfortunately, cleaning the cartridge is a little harder than the aerator, but it’s nothing that can’t be done. Before you start anything, be sure to close the water supply. Then, remove just the top, or the entire handle of the faucet, depending on the type of your faucet. Once the handle is removed, unscrew the cartridge cover to access the cartridge itself. Similar to what you did with the aerator, proceed to clean and wash any debris in the cartridge. Replace the O-ring seals for your cartridge if you notice they’re worn out or need replacement. Reassemble the cartridge cover and the handle and do a test run of the water flow.
• Pipe Leaks – A pipe leak somewhere in the supply chain can also be a cause of low water pressure. A portion of the water will be going down the drain during a leak and either a section of your house or the entire house can be left with low water pressure. It’s difficult to locate pipe leaks most of the time because they can happen anywhere, even inside walls or underground. The first step you should take when you notice low water pressure is to locate the leak if existent. Next, call a dependable plumber to have professional help by your side.

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Sunshine Plumbers have dedicated workers that are passionate about what they do and seek to grant satisfaction to their customers. If you need help with sink repair, call or schedule an appointment with us so we can assist you as soon as possible.