The most common causes of low water pressure in a kitchen sink are a clogged aerator or a clogged cartridge. The aerator is the part of the faucet that is at the very end of the spout; it is the last thing the water touches before it comes out into the sink.
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.
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.
If you're suddenly getting low water pressure in one area of the house… ...the supply pipes to that area may either be corroded, leaking or blocked. If all the fixtures in an entire bathroom or the entire kitchen are suddenly getting low water pressure, you can trace the issue to the plumbing pipes.
Since the EPA limits water flow at 2.2 gpm, most modern faucets now come with a pre-installed aerator that limits the flow to 2.2 gpm while also infusing the water stream with air to reduce splashing.
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.
Shut off the cold water at the faucet behind the washing machine, and then disconnect the hose from the faucet. (Be careful as it will be full of water.) Screw the pressure gauge onto the faucet, and then open the faucet all the way to test the pressure.
While several factors can cause weak water pressure, common culprits include a broken pressure regulator, faulty water heater, clogged fixtures, or a hidden leak.
A quick and easy way to increase water pressure is to adjust the pressure-reducing valve, which can be found in your home, usually close to your water meter. If your pressure gauge reading was low, make slight adjustments to your regulator.
Unscrew the nozzle and check for a broken or misaligned washer. Next you'll likely see mineral crumbles and debris collected at the screen. Rinse it all off. If it's hardened on, soak in vinegar for a bit or buy a replacement assembly.
Fill a plastic bag with half water and half vinegar, ensuring there is enough liquid to submerge the faucet head. Put the liquid-filled bag over the faucet head and secure it with a rubber band. Let stand for 30 minutes to one hour. For more sensitive fixture finishes, do not surpass 30 minutes.
Some of the first signs of a failing pressure regulator are a leaking water heater or commode. The water coming from a faucet may also exit with such force that splashing or water “hammering” may occur.
How long will a Water Pressure Reducing Valve last? The life expectancy of a water pressure regulator is most commonly in the range of 10 to 15 years. However, you may see a regulator malfunction at three years and one still properly functioning at 20 years old if regularly maintained.
Water pressure regulator replacement: $250 to $1,000. Pipe section replacement: $500 to $4,000.
For water conservation purposes, most plumbing codes require faucets and showering devices to not exceed a certain maximum flow rate. Removing the flow restrictors could cause these devices to no longer meet these codes.
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.
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.