Causes of Low Water Pressure in The Sink – Easy Ways to Fix Them

causes of low water pressure in kitchen sinks and how to fix them

Are you having trouble with your sink? Is the water not draining out of it as it should be or is there a sudden drop in water pressure? These are common problems that many people face and we’re here to tell you how to fix them. We’ll take you through what can cause these problems and how to solve them so your sink operates at its best!

Hopefully, this blog post will help you figure out why your sink isn’t working properly.

The first thing to check for is the air gap under the faucet. If there’s no gap, then it could just need a new aerator or washer. Other causes of low water pressure in sinks include corroded pipes and clogged filters or screens on the tap.

Low water pressure in the kitchen sink is very, very annoying. It is so frustrating to deal with long waiting times for water to flow out of your faucet and it also means that you will be using more water than necessary as the flow time wastes a lot of water. This article will list some possible reasons why you are getting low water pressure in the kitchen sink.

Blocked Aerators

Aerators or the small screens on your faucets can become clogged with sediment over time. They will cause a loss of water pressure if they begin to collect too much sediment from the water running through them. It is recommended that you clean out your aerators regularly.

How to Fix:

To replace a kitchen faucet aerator, remove the aerator from the end of the spout by twisting counterclockwise. Remove any debris with pliers or another tool that fits into the opening on the end of the aerator. Slide off screens if present and clean inside of the housing. Put back together by attaching screens, then twisting the aerator clockwise onto the end of the spout.

Read: How to Plumb a 3 Compartment Sink – 6 Easy-to-Follow Steps

Blocked Faucet Cartridge

A cartridge can cause a loss of water pressure as well. If you have a leaky faucet, the cartridge may be damaged or clogged allowing less pressure to come through the line which is not sufficient enough for regular use. You should try changing or repairing this component if it starts leaking as it will only get worse.

How to Fix:

If the faucet cartridge needs to be replaced, you can do this by turning off the water supply to avoid making a mess. Detach hoses using pliers. Remove old cartridge with needle-nose pliers or screwdriver. Insert new cartridge, then reattach hoses and turn the water supply back on.

There may be sediment or debris blocking up your faucet cartridge which must be removed before you can have normal water pressure. You can clean your faucet cartridge by soaking it in vinegar overnight and then insert it again.

Low Pressure in the Line

If the faucet is completely turned off at the main water supply, it can cause a decrease in water pressure as well. Make sure to turn on all of your faucets and open up any other valves that run water through your house so you have enough pressure coming from your city’s water supply line. You should also clean out the aerator to make sure it is not clogged up with sediment.

If you are on city water, the pressure in the line may be set too low.

Also Read: Water Filter vs Reverse Osmosis – Which One to Choose?

How to Fix :

You should check with your local government to find out what the maximum allowable pressure for your house is and they should also be able to tell you if it has been turned down. They can turn up the water pressure so that you have normal usage of it again.

Blockage in the Main Line

Another possible reason for low water pressure in the kitchen sink is a blockage somewhere in the line. There may be sediment or debris blocking up your faucet which must be removed before you can have normal water pressure. Use a plumber’s snake to try and remove the blockage if you cannot do it yourself.

If your house uses well water, there could be too many minerals in the line which causes a lack of pressure for the faucet.

Related: What to Check When Buying a Black Kitchen Sink

How to Fix:

You should add a water softener system to remove these minerals so that you have enough water pressure.

If there are calcium deposits or other mineral deposits built up, they may decrease the water flow from your faucet. You should try using a faucet-specific cleaner for this problem.

Shut-Off Valve

If the aerator isn’t clogged, but the flow of water is still low, it most likely means there is a buildup in the shut-off valve. The best way to figure out if this is where your problem lies is by turning off both hot and cold water valves under your sink. If you can turn them off completely without any problems, you have a broken faucet.

If the water turns off but doesn’t shut all the way, your problem probably lies in a stuck or clogged shut-off valve. This is a relatively easy fix and one that can be done without calling a plumber or a professional.

How to Fix:

The first thing you need to do is twist the knob of the valve back and forth several times. This should loosen up any buildup that is causing the problem. If it doesn’t, you can try using a combination of hot water, vinegar, baking soda, and an old toothbrush to clean off whatever is preventing the water from flowing through.

Broken Lines

When you have low water pressure in your home, you want to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Low water pressure can be caused by many things including a broken or cracked pipe which results in lost water supply for the entire house. As much as possible, when there is no water pressure, try not to use any of your home appliances.

You can detect whether your line is broken by taking the meter reading. You must close all faucets and water appliances inside your house, and take a reading of the meter. After around four hours, do another reading of the meter. If there was a change in the readings, you know that there is a break or crack somewhere in your pipes.

How to Fix:

When you know that there is a broken line somewhere inside your house, the next step is to figure out where it is. You can use different methods to detect whether your water lines are leaking or not. It would be best if you could find leaks before they get worse because fixing them can be expensive. The first thing you should do is to check the meter reading. You need to turn off all main water lines inside your house and take another reading of the meter after around four hours. If there was no change in the readings, it means that there are no leaks somewhere inside your house.

If there’s a difference in the meter readings, you have a big problem. Don’t try to use any appliances inside your house. This may cause a break in the pipe causing an even bigger problem for you and your family. You should call a plumber immediately so he could figure out where the leaking line is coming from.

Read:How to Fix a Leaky Kitchen Sink Faucet – 5 Easy Steps

Summary

A decrease in water pressure can be caused by a number of different components and plumbing problems, but there are many ways to solve these issues like replacing the aerator screen, replacing cartridges, cleaning sediment from the line, and adding a water softener system if your house uses well water.

We believe that the kitchen is the heart of a home, and the sink is its centerpiece. At Best Kitchen Sinks, our team of editors and writers put their maximum efforts into consolidating buying guides and reviews that are informative, unbiased, and helpful for homeowners in choosing the best kitchen sinks and other related products for their lovely kitchen! Alex Roy is the founder of best kitchen sinks. Being an expert in kitchen renovations, he believes in designing kitchens with the perfect sinks and other appliances to make kitchen tasks easy and free of mess. Alex Roy knows first-hand the challenges homeowners and business owners face when buying the best sinks and appliances for their kitchens. Besides the honest reviews on top kitchens sinks and filters, you will also find much information regarding kitchen sinks. From installation and plumbing to cleaning the kitchen sinks and troubleshooting any sink problem, our detailed and step-by-step guides will help you maintain your kitchen sink in the perfect shape at a minimal cost.