Don’t let low water pressure inconvenience you
Low water pressure is a problem many homeowners can fix, and it’s far less damaging than dealing with high water pressure.
Troubleshoot low water pressure by checking your aerator, water lines, and pipes.
Water heaters are the likely culprit for low pressure in hot water.
Normal water pressure ranges from 45 to 80 psi, and is considered low when it drops below 40 psi.
Low water pressure can be frustrating, especially when it’s in a room you use as often as the kitchen. Although both high and low water pressure indicates problems, high water pressure is more damaging, and can require that you hire a local plumber.
Luckily, fixing low water pressure can usually be a DIY job. By investigating some parts of the sink, you can likely determine the source of low water pressure in the kitchen faucet and solve the issue.
Even if the low water pressure problem is isolated to your kitchen, it can still be incredibly frustrating to get a trickle from the faucet when you’re trying to fill up a pot to boil pasta. Thankfully, there are usually only a few things to blame for low water pressure in the kitchen sink:
Clogged aerator
Blocked or broken cartridge
Impaired water lines
Pipe leaks
Malfunctioning pressure reducing valve
Corrosion in the water lines
Water heater issues
Water pressure problems from the city
Many of these issues have an easy fix you can implement yourself or with the help of a pro.
Usually located at the end of the faucet spout, the aerator consists of a screen that covers the water outlet and controls the flow rate. In addition, it conserves water by adding air to the water stream. When minerals or hard water clog the aerator, the result is often low water pressure.
How to remove and clean the aerator:
Twist the aerator clockwise; if necessary, use pliers with tape to get a better grip.
Remove the metal or plastic screen inside and scrub with an old toothbrush.
If it’s super clogged, soak the aerator in vinegar overnight, brush off the remaining debris, and reattach it to the faucet.
The cartridge is responsible for opening the valves for water to flow and turning off the water when you shut off the tap. In addition, it contributes to preventing leaks and other malfunctions. From time to time, debris, hard water, sediment, and corrosion can build up in the cartridge, resulting in low water pressure.
How to remove and clean the cartridge:
Turn off the supply valves under the sink and turn on the faucet to release the residual water.
Use your sink stopper to ensure nothing gets into the drain.
Using a screwdriver, detach the cap covering the faucet screw.
With an Allen wrench, remove the screw cap.
Locate the retaining nut, which is typically at the base of the handle, and remove it with a wrench.
Pull out the cartridge and soak it in vinegar and warm water overnight.
Use a hard bristled brush to scrub the cartridge.
If the cartridge is still very scratched up, it’s probably time for a replacement.
Broken or damaged water lines typically result in water pressure problems. Common causes for water line damage include corrosion, debris, and sediment—when this occurs, the nearby faucets are affected.
How to check the water supply lines:
Shut off the water under the sink.
Place a bucket under the sink—the bucket can catch potential residual water that may flow out after you disconnect the supply line.
Turn the nuts on the water supply line under the sink counterclockwise to loosen the line; if they don't turn, use a wrench to loosen them.
With the line pointed into the bucket, turn the water back on.
If water comes out, the culprit of the low water pressure is probably within your faucet—in this case, it’s probably time to replace the faucet.
If no water comes out, call a plumber who will be able to help you understand the issue.
When a pipe that supplies water leaks, the result may be low water pressure. You may have a leaking or burst pipe if you notice low water pressure during cold weather. If there is any excess water in areas under and around the kitchen sink, this could indicate a pipe leak.
Since leaks aren’t always visible, check the basement for watermarks near pipes, and inspect areas around water heaters and faucets. To check for hidden bathroom leaks, look for musty smells, mildew, damaged paint/wallpaper, ceiling stains, and damaged flooring. If you notice any of these signs, consider trying a temporary fix for leaking pipes, and contact a local plumber who can diagnose the problem and fix the leak.
The PRV is responsible for controlling the water pressure from the water that comes from the municipal supply. It has a bell shape and is usually located on the incoming water line.
How to adjust the PRV:
Loosen the screw on the top of the valve.
Turn the screw counterclockwise and check the water pressure.
If the water pressure is still low, the valve might be ready for a replacement, and it’s time to call a plumber to find out.
Pipe corrosion is a natural result of having metal pipes. It usually looks like rust or as if sections of your pipes have been slowly eaten away. There are several reasons you’d find corroded pipes around your home. These include a pH imbalance in your water, high water velocity, high levels of dissolved oxygen, and water and oxygen exposure over time.
The buildup of corrosion in your pipes could be the reason you’re dealing with low water pressure. You might also notice discolored water or water with a bad taste or smell. If you spot the signs of corrosion early enough, you could get away with performing a pipe descaling or cleaning of your pipes. If not, you’ll need to outsource the work to a plumbing professional for a pipe replacement.
Your water heater keeps you from using freezing cold water for daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, washing your hands, and showering. As the unit heats the water, calcium and magnesium minerals form and settle at the bottom of your tank. The buildup of these sediments can cause low water pressure.
How to remove and prevent sediment buildup:
Flush your unit.
Drain your unit and perform a vinegar soak.
Keep the unit at the recommended temperature.
Install a water softener.
When your water supply comes from your city, whatever happens to their system will eventually trickle into your home. If they’re dealing with low water pressure, so will you. All you can do is contact your local water supplier and wait for them to fix the problem.
If only your hot water has low pressure, the issue is likely your water heater. Check the water heater to ensure the outlet valve is completely open. Try loosening the valve and see if this solves things.
Another issue could be sediment buildup in the water heater. Flushing or draining your water heater around twice a year can help prevent this, and flushing it at the sign of low hot water pressure can also help.
If neither strategy helps the issue, contact a plumbing repair pro near you, who can identify and fix the problem.
If you notice low water pressure in the entire house, ask your neighbors if they’re facing this problem—if they are, this is an indication that your municipal water supply is the problem. Contact your water provider to report the issue and get more information.
In order to find out if you actually have low water pressure, it’s vital to know what normal water pressure looks like. Water pressure is measured in psi (pounds per square inch), and the normal range in homes is 45 to 80 psi. If your water pressure dips below 40 psi, it’s considered low, while water pressure higher than 80 psi is considered too high.
Having either too high or low water pressure poses risks—with high water pressure, there is a greater chance for pipe damage, joint malfunction, and water wastage. Meanwhile, low water pressure in one place can affect your other household appliances that use water by slowly restricting water pressure in those areas as well. That’s why it’s so important to address these issues ASAP.
