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.
If the kitchen is the only tap with low pressure, it's time to consider the potential causes of low water pressure in a kitchen sink so you can determine what might be causing it, and fix it. The most common causes of low water pressure in a kitchen sink are a clogged aerator or a clogged cartridge.
The solution is to install a pressure balance valve. This won't stop the pressure from fluctuating but it WILL keep the balance between hot and cold water steady and avoiding those unpleasant temperature changes. Secondly, you should have your water company or plumber check the water pressure at the main.
If you notice low water pressure from just one or two of the fixtures in your house, the problem likely has to do with debris buildup. Water is full of minerals and other debris, all of which can accumulate in your pipes and on your fixtures. This can cause a blockage that affects how much water flows through.
Low pressure in a shower can be caused by several issues such as a clogged showerhead, a worn-out mixing valve, closed valve, leaking pipe, or even a faulty water heater.
For one, tracking down leaks in the system could be a solution. Also, opening a half-shut supply valve that could otherwise reduce flow would do the trick. Replacing corroded and clogged pipes should also improve low water pressure.
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).
Low Water Pressure from Faucets and Fixtures
Water pressure problems could be as simple as faulty faucets and fixtures. If you're experiencing low pressure in a specific area, check for clogging or corrosion that could be slowing water flow.
A Clogged Cartridge
This device has an important job — when you lift or turn the faucet handle, the cartridge is responsible for opening valves and letting the water flow into your sink. If there's a problem with the cartridge — such as a blockage — you're likely to encounter low water pressure.
Typically, this shouldn't cause an issue because homes have a pressure switch. This valve helps to keep pressure constant throughout the home matching the supply of the water pressure to the demand. If this valve goes bad it can cause water pressure to fluctuate if more than one fixture is using water.
Evaporated hot water cannot leave the pipes correctly, causing air to get trapped in the piping system. If you have a water heater, air can enter your water pipes due to the water heater's anode rod getting corroded.
Check for a pressure-reducing valve (PRV) mounted on your water main. Most come set from the factory for 50 psi, but you can adjust them up or down by turning a screw on top. PRVs can also go bad after 10 to 20 years. So if yours is old, it might be time to replace it.
It may be caused by debris such as dirt, sand, solidified oil and grease, food particles, or foreign objects. Pollutants can block pipes if they back up due to fractures in the water main. Mineral buildup clogs pipes over time and causes the water pressure to go down, as there's less space for water to travel through.
Low pressure is the most common sign of a clogged aerator, but sometimes the faucet can also misdirect water, spraying it on the side of the sink or even onto the vanity.
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.
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.
A blockage in the pipe on the top floor
Sometimes a constriction in the water pipeline also can be a reason of low water pressure in one part of your house. If you see the water pressure is weak only on the top floor of your house, then it is certainly due to blockage in the pipes or valves.
The most common cause of low shower pressure is a blocked showerhead, as a result of limescale build-up. These blockages obstruct the water flow, leading to reduced pressure over time. Most showers are fitted with a filter, protecting the pipework from debris, but this can become partially blocked by scale.
If you have a single-handle faucet in your shower or tub, your mixing valve that controls the amount of hot and cold water sent to the showerhead may be stuck or worn out. A worn out mixing valve can throw off the temperature and pressure and give you shower woes.
However, when low water pressure originates from an issue specific to your home, such as a water pipe or your pressure regulator fails, plumbing repairs can correct the problem.