There are many uses of the kitchen faucet, which is why it is one of the most important fixtures in the home. Therefore, it must be working correctly at all times. One of the main issues that users face is a low water pressure in the faucet. If the pressure is too low, you will find it harder to carry out your work.
Thankfully, there are solutions to low pressure kitchen faucet problem. These solutions are easy to implement and you can carry them out without needing to call the services of a professional. If you think you will find this information useful, then read on.
The possible reasons of low water pressure in your kitchen faucet
The low pressure in your kitchen faucet is a result of different things. There are several reasons, but these are some of the most common reasons for the lower pressure level:
- Bad cartridge
- Blocked aerator
- Damaged water lines
- Leakages
- Impaired pressure valve
Let’s now consider each of these factors to see what each involves and why it might work to reduce the pressure in your kitchen faucet.
Bad cartridge
The first thing that might be responsible for the problem faced is a bad cartridge. The cartridge, also known as the shut-off valve, is what turns the water off in the supply lines. It is a component found in commercial and modern faucets. When working properly, it can help to stop the incidence of leaks and other problems.
However, this component needs saving when debris and other contaminants in the supply line impair its water pressure. We will consider how to deal with this problem later in this article.
Blocked aerator
Another thing that might cause a reduction in water pressure is a blocked aerator. Just like the cartridge, the aerator serves an important function. This component is in the form of an attachment with small holes. It is often located on the tip of the spout. There are several uses of this component. For example, it helps to conserve water, it helps to eliminate debris and sediments, and it also helps to prevent any splashes.
Due to its ability to act as a filter, it might have too much work to do and become blocked. Thankfully, this issue is easy to resolve and we will show you how to resolve the issue later in this post.
Bad water lines
Your water lines supply water to the faucet. These are susceptible to contamination from sediments, debris, and corrosion. While this contamination is in small quantities, you will not have any issues with water pressure. However, if the contamination level is high, then you might suffer from lower pressure. This problem is common in old or galvanized plumbing.
Leakages
As with anything related to fluids, leakages are an obvious concern. When pipes leak, there is bound to be lower water pressure at the faucet’s end. The bigger the leak, the bigger the reduction in pressure levels.
The solution to this is as simple as plugging the leaks. But the challenge isn’t plugging these leaks but finding them in the first place. Leaks might occur at the most unexpected of places. If you have searched and have found no leaks, we will provide you information that can help you to get the leakage point.
How high a water pressure should generally be?
There is a difference between the water pressure and the flow rate. Water pressure refers to the force of water moving in the pipes. The flow rate, on the other hand, refers to the gallons/minute from the faucet. The flow rate is dependent on the style of the faucet and is regulated by the faucet.
To know whether there is a problem with water pressure at the kitchen faucet, you should know the water pressure that is considered normal. Any deviation will then be noted as high or low water pressure.
According to a study, residential homes have water pressure between 45 psi to 80 psi. Anything in that range is normal. If your water pressure falls below 30 psi, then you have a low water pressure problem.
You can use a water pressure gauge to know the exact water pressure of the faucet.
Whole-house water pressure problems
If you observe low water pressure in the kitchen faucet, you should first determine where the issue arises from. Determine whether the problem is localized to the kitchen faucet, extends to the whole house, or is a problem that everyone on the block is experiencing. Knowing the sphere of the low water pressure is the first step to solving the problem.
So, check out the other water outlets in the home. If this problem exists in other faucets around the home, then the whole house has the problem. If it is just affecting the kitchen faucet, then you will know that it is only the kitchen faucet.
If the whole house is experiencing the problem, ask around to know whether others are affected as well. If your neighbors also have low water pressure, then the problem is with the general water supply and you should inform the relevant authorities.
If it is just your house facing the problem, do not fret. There are solutions to help.
If it is a house-wide problem, check the pressure of water coming into the house at the mains. Inspect the simplest things, like whether the valve is open partially or whether the mains are old and require replacement.
Damaged water lines
If water pipes are damaged or leaking, then you should expect a drop in water pressure. The main challenge with this issue is that leaks are not always easy to find. Here are the steps to solve the problem.
How to fix:
- Check the basement for wet walls or watermarks around pipes.
- If there are no watermarks visible, check the pipes with a water meter
- To do that, switch off the supply in the valves and check the meter.
- If you notice that there is a leak, hire a plumber to come to help you plug the leak or change the pipes.
Problems with hot water pressure only
A common issue among homeowners is that only hot water pressure is low. If you have noticed this problem, then the problem might not be the plumbing but something else. Thus, begin by inspecting the water heater.
If you have a water heater, check if the valve is completely open. If it is partially open, then that is likely responsible for the low water pressure.
If you have opened the valves and do not notice any difference, then you might need to check the pipes for blockages. If this is the problem, you might not have enough expertise to handle that on your own and might need to hire a plumber to assist you.
Problems with your kitchen/bathroom faucet
Something may be wrong with a specific faucet in your kitchen or bathroom. Below are the possible causes and ways to fix them.
Aerator
We have already considered what the aerator is. So, what can you do when there is a problem with this component? Here are the steps to help you:
How to fix:
- Next, locate and remove the aerator. The aerator is usually at the end of the faucet. It is easy to remove in most cases. However, if you cannot remove it easily, use pliers. Since pliers have metal or plastic mouths, it might be so forceful that it damages the faucet. It is therefore recommended that you wrap a material like plastic tape around the end.
- After removing the aerator, clean it with a brush. You aim to remove the debris in the component. If the debris is stuck, you could use a solution of vinegar to dissolve the deposit. You could also use a needle to push the deposit out from each aerator hole
- Before returning the clean aerator to the faucet, run the faucet to test the water pressure. If it runs normally, then the aerator is the problem. If it doesn’t work right, then the aerator is not the only issue.
- Reattach the aerator to the faucet and enjoy normal water pressure.
Cartridge
The cartridge is another source of the problem. Here is how to fix a cartridge issue:
How to fix:
- Once again, plug the drain hole to prevent any components from falling down the drain during your troubleshooting.
- The next thing to do is to turn off the water valves underneath the sink.
- Remove the cap of the faucet with a screwdriver and remove the handle of the faucet.
- Ensure that you place the removed cartridge and cartridge nut correctly to avoid any confusion when reassembling the faucet.
Since the cartridge is dirty, clean it thoroughly and remove any deposits and other debris inside. After cleaning,
- Replace it in the order of removal.
- Then, test the faucet and check whether the water pressure has returned to a normal level.
Line blockage issue
If the cartridge and aerator are fine but you still have low water pressure, then you might have to inspect the water lines. It is simple to do this as all you need is to flush the lines.
How to fix:
- First, close and disconnect the supply valves. Turn these to the OFF position and release any trapped water. Then use a basin wrench to remove the supply lines from the faucet.
- The next thing is to turn ON the water. Completely open the supply valves and let the water run for a minute.
- Lastly, reconnect all that you disconnected and check to see whether there is a positive effect.
Issues by popular brands
There are some popular brands available and here, you will learn how to repair in case of low water pressure.
Delta
Delta makes some of the best kitchen and bathroom faucets on the market today. If you observe low water pressure, you likely have clogging in the aerator. Regular flushing will also reduce the chances of blockages. To flush the kitchen faucet, here are the steps to take:
- Remove the aerator
- Turn the handles to full on both positions and flush two minutes before turning the water OFF
- Replace the aerator
Moen
Moen is regarded as one of the finest makers of faucets around the home and the 7594EWC is a top-rated option from the brand. If you observe water pressure problem, here are the steps to take:
- Check to ensure that the water valves are completely open
- Clean the aerator screen
- Clean the cartridge
American Standard
In most faucets from this manufacturer, a pressure drop is a result of deposits in the cartridge. Therefore, you can solve it by:
- Clean the clogged cartridge
- Clean the spout aerator
- Tighten hose connections.
Final thoughts
Low pressure in kitchen faucets is never a pleasant experience. If you experience that, you can fix it by first identifying what the cause is. Then follow the instructions in this guide on how to fix such issues. With these tips, you never have to suffer low pressure kitchen faucet anymore.
