Low Water Pressure in Kitchen Sink Only

Have you been experiencing low water pressure issues in your kitchen sink for quite some time? 

Do you have no time to call the plumber and get it fixed? 

Well, fortunately, there are some simple do-it-yourself techniques that could help you identify and fix the crux of the problem. All you need to do in ensure you are experiencing low water pressure in kitchen sink only, and that the rest of the faucets in your home are all doing fine. 

Our Latest Article: best budget bathroom faucets and best kitchen faucets for hard water

 

First, Identify the Cause 

It does not always have to be a frantic call to the plumber or your local water authority whenever you see the pressure of water going down in your kitchen faucet. There are a few simple methods you could use, as listed below, to know what might be causing the issue. 

 

• The Aerator 

More often than not, the cause of low water pressure in a faucet could be blamed on the aerator. It is a small mesh at the end of the spout of the faucet that ensures the water flows in a single file every time you turn the tap on. Follow these steps to identify whether it is the aerator that is the culprit. 

• Take the aerator off by rotating it towards the left, just like you would unscrew something. Sometimes it gets stuck in such a way that it is difficult to turn it. In such a scenario, you could use a pair of pliers. Ensure you apply a gentle to moderate pressure while using pliers, otherwise, you could cause damage to the mouth of the faucet. 

 

• Turn the tap on to check the flow of the water. If it is significantly better than when the aerator was on, it should be safe to say that cleaning or replacing the aerator should be good enough to get your kitchen sink back in form again. 

 

• The Cartridge

   

If you take the aerator off and the water pressure is still menacingly low, you could use a few simple tools to remove the cartridge. Read on to learn how. 

• Make sure the water supply to the faucet has been turned off by closing the valves underneath. 
• Remove the head of the faucet using a screwdriver. 
• Use a set of pliers to remove the cartridge, and ensure all nuts and screws are undone. 
• Use a vessel to cover the opening of the base of the faucet that you dismantled. 
• Turn the valves back on, and check the flow of the water. If the pressure is better, then the cartridge should be the cause. 

 

Blocked Pipeline or Leakage 

If you have successfully removed the cartridge, and yet the water pressure remains unacceptable, it is possible that there is some debris stuck somewhere in the pipeline leading to your kitchen sink. It is also possible that there is a leakage in the pipeline. While it is difficult to identify a blockage without the help of a professional, you could recognize a leakage if you have a metered connection through the following simple steps. 

• Check the meter reading, and note down the numbers somewhere. 
• Turn off every faucet in the house, ensuring not a single drop of water is seen flowing from any tap. 

• Wait for a couple of hours, and then check the meter reading again. 
• Compare this new reading with the reading in the first step, and if there is an increase in the number, it might be inferred that there is a leakage somewhere. 

Note: If none of the above are causes for low water pressure in your kitchen, it might be a good idea to call a plumber. 

 

How to Fix the Problem 

Now that you have hopefully been able to identify the cause of low water pressure, you are more than likely to try and resolve it yourself. This is definitely possible with some simple home remedies if the problem lies with the aerator or the cartridge. If there is a leakage, you would need to take the help of a professional. 

• The Aerator

Once you have identified that the aerator is causing you all this trouble, the simple solution is to clean it. Use the following steps as a guide to clean the aerator. 

• Visually check how much deposit exists on the aerator. If it is minimal, a solution of vinegar and water would be enough, otherwise, you might have to use a stronger cleaner. 
• Considering the deposit is mild to moderate, soak it in a solution of equal parts of water and vinegar for about 15 minutes to an hour (depending on the gravity of the situation). 

• Rinse it thoroughly under a different faucet, and place it back at the mouth of the kitchen faucet. 
• Turn on the faucet to check if the water pressure has improved. If not, try soaking it in a solution of store-bought bathroom cleaner. Ensure the cleaner is not too strong as it might damage the aerator. 
• Rinse and place it back on. If the water pressure still remains low, visit your nearest hardware store with the aerator you already have, and purchase a new one with the same design. This is usually the most inexpensive part to replace in a faucet. 

 

• The Cartridge 

The Cartridge could be cleaned in a similar way as the aerator. As an additional step, once you have the entire faucet dismantled, ensure you clean each part of the faucet thoroughly, and remove deposits from the water inlet as much as possible. When you reassemble the faucet after cleaning, the water should start running with higher pressure. If not, the cartridge is beyond help and needs to be replaced. Make sure you buy the same model and make in order to fix it well. At times, it might be wiser to replace the entire faucet if the exact make of the cartridge is unavailable. 

 

When to Ask for Help 

Call your local water authority, your handyman, or your plumber if none of the above methods are useful to fix the issue of low water pressure. You could also ask for help at the very beginning if DIY is not your thing. After all, getting the faucet in your sink fixed Is what this is all about.