Why does my faucet have low water pressure? Remove the
If you want to increase pressure, you can try cleaning the aerator, rinsing the filter, or flushing the water supply lines. You can also fine-tune the shut-off valves to increase and decrease pressure. When you're finished, your faucet should run like new!
Please keep in mind that all new faucets since 1994 are restricted to conserve water per EPA code mandates. Older faucets had no restrictions. Beyond intentional flow restriction, new installations can sometimes have reduced flow if the lines are not flushed prior to installation of aerators or shower heads.
Flow restrictors are usually found in the neck or threaded end of the shower head exposed when the shower head is removed from the shower arm as shown in the image below. They would appear in the opening of the aerator when it is removed from a lavatory or kitchen faucet.
While it is possible to remove flow restrictors from shower heads, we strongly advise against it for several reasons. Flow restrictors for faucets are an integral part of most aerators and it is generally not possible or desirable to remove them.
Is there an aerator in the faucet outlet? If so, remove it, and try turning on again. These often get clogged from debris you shake lose in the lines during installation. Some faucets also require you to remove part of the valve after installation to flush the lines, then re-install.
It's worth checking the restrictions in your area before tampering with your showerhead. In addition, removing the flow regulator will also increase your overall water usage and the amount of power used for heating water, which is bad for your wallet and the environment.
When you turn off your water valves or replace a faucet it is very common to kick up sediments in your pipes. Most water pressure issues are because of these sediments getting stuck in the tap filter. Look at your directions to unscrew the bottom of your faucet head. Clean out the filter inside and screw back on head.
If the low water pressure seems restricted to a single faucet or showerhead, the problem isn't with your pipes or water supply, but with the fixture itself. If it's a sink, the most common causes are a clogged aerator or clogged cartridge.
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).
New faucets often come with supply tubes, but they aren't always long enough or equipped with the correct threads for connecting to the shut-off valves. Have your measurements ready in case you need to purchase new ones.
The most common causes of low water pressure in a kitchen sink are a clogged aerator or a clogged cartridge.
What does a flow restrictor look like? Before you remove the flow restrictor from your shower head, you need to know what it looks like. A water flow restrictor is usually a flat, circular, plastic piece. The center of the restrictor is shaped like a star, or similarly shaped, and comes in a variety of colors.
To compensate for variations in pressure, flow restrictors decrease the volume that water flows through when pressure increases. Likewise, the opening will widen when pressure decreases.
A smaller upstream orifice prevents sufficient liquid flow to achieve higher pressure. In these cases, except for the one at the top, a reduction in the size of the nozzle would result in the nozzle spraying a greater distance as the upstream restriction would provide reduced pressure drop because of the reduced flow.
In the case that your water pressure is too high, you'll need to adjust your PRV (pressure reducing valve) which should be located near your house's main water shut-off. If you don't already have one, then you'll need to get one installed.