One of the most common causes of low pressure to a kitchen or bathroom sink faucet is debris or mineral buildup in the aerator. The aerator is the tiny screen that you see at the end of your faucet.
Partially Closed Valve
One of the most common issues that can lead to low water pressure problems is that the water is being obstructed by one or more partially closed shutoff valves. Typically, a home will have one main shutoff valve located inside the house.
Faulty Faucet
Over time, wear and tear can cause the seals in the faucet to break down, which can lead to leaks. These leaks can then reduce the overall water pressure. If you think that your faucet is the cause of your reduced water pressure, you might have to get the faucet repaired or change it altogether.
Clogged aerators and clogged cartridges are two of the most common causes of low water pressure in a sink. The aerator is the tip of the faucet that the water comes out of, while the cartridge is found underneath the sink handle and enables you to stop and start the flow of water.
Check Your Aerator
If you have especially hard water, aerators become clogged with hard water buildup, a common cause of low water pressure in kitchen fixtures. Clean your aerator for a quick and easy DIY fix. Remove the aerator from the faucet using pliers and a towel (to prevent scratching).
The good news is that you can easily replace faucet aerators, clean showerheads to remove limescale, or simply buy new fixtures to replace the defective ones, which can improve your water pressure. However, it is important to know that repairing or replacing faucets and fixtures is only a temporary solution.
Install a Water Pressure Booster
If the municipal water or well-water flow is the problem, hire a licensed plumbing contractor to install a water-pressure booster pump. These powerful, electric pumps target incoming pressure and raise it to the proper level.
If the problem only occurs in one fixture – whether it's the sink, shower or tub – that fixture probably needs to be cleaned or replaced. For faucets, a clogged aerator can lessen water pressure. Clean faucets by unscrewing the nozzle and placing it in a solution of vinegar and water.
Open your main water valve.
Find the valve and check to see if it's completely open. Opening a half-shut valve is one of the quickest ways for increasing home water pressure. Sometimes the main valve is turned off accidentally during routine repairs and maintenance without the homeowner's knowledge.
Pressure-Reducing Valve
Look on the main supply pipe near your water meter for a conical valve that has a bolt sticking out of the cone. To raise pressure, turn the bolt clockwise after loosening its locknut.
If there's an accumulation of sediments in your hot water tank, it can lower your water pressure. The presence of kinks in the flexible water pipes used in water heaters can result in low water pressure. If the shut-off valve isn't fully open, water pressure can drop.
Clogged aerator screen
The aerator is the first to check when a faucet has low water pressure. Most faucets have aerators at the base or inserted inside the spout. Sediments, mineral deposits, or small debris can clog the aerator over time, which results in low water pressure.
Signs that a cartridge faucet needs repair are water dripping from the spout, difficulty in adjusting the water temperature, hot water entering cold water outlets like toilet supply lines and inadequately heated water at some faucets.
The short answer is low water pressure in your home arises due to a number of causes. Some include a shut or blocked water meter valve, mineral buildup clogs pipes, corroded pipes, or even a crack in the main city supply pipe to your home.
Remove and clean the faucet aerator thoroughly, or replace it with a new one. Remove and clean the flow restrictor, increase the size of the flow restrictor hole, or remove it entirely and replace the aerator without replacing the flow restrictor.
The most common causes of low water pressure in a kitchen sink are a clogged aerator or a clogged cartridge.
Water pressure drops in cold weather because of frozen pipes or high demand. Frozen pipes can burst, causing costly water damage. Other causes of low water pressure include buildup or partially closed valves. Check water valves and individual faucets to find the source of the problem.
To return to full pressure only takes seconds. Flushing and recirculating takes minutes if you open all the taps, with the exception of tank water heaters.