Do you notice low water pressure coming from your kitchen sink? You need proper water pressure in order to rinse dishes, clean little hands, and cook.
However, you don’t want to make things even worse by trying to fix it. Here’s the info you need to fix your sink’s water pressure the right way. You can try this method before deciding on investing in a new high-pressure kitchen faucet.
In this PlumbingNav guide, we will cover:
What you need to know about fixing water pressure in kitchen sink
Supplies you’ll need to fix water pressure in kitchen
How to fix water pressure in kitchen without making it worse
What's In This Guide?
What You Need To Know About Fixing Water Pressure In Kitchen Sink
First, there are a number of things that determine the water pressure in your kitchen sink.
If you live in a hilly area, you may experience lower water pressure if your home rests on a higher location than the city water tank. However, a majority of water pressure issues come from your home.
Water Pressure Vs. Flow Rate
Many people assume that water pressure and flow rate refer to the same thing. However, they are different things.
Flow rate is usually measured in gallons per minute (GPM), and it indicates how much water a fixture produces. Low water flow comes from a clog in your pipes. Typical flow rate is 2.2 GPM with high-efficiency flow rates somewhere between .5 – 1.5 GPM.
Pressure, measured in pounds per square inch (psi), indicates the amount of force the water moves at. Low pressure can be the result of a leak, aerator clog, cartridge clog, supply valve errors, or a city-wide water supply problem.
Important Parts to Your Faucet
The two most important parts of your faucet, especially when it comes to water pressure, are the aerator and cartridge. They are both considered a flow regulator.
The aerator is a mesh screen placed at the edge of the water outlet designed to catch minerals and other deposits. It works by mixing air into your water stream.
The cartridge is another item designed to help collect minerals. However, you will find it a little deeper in your faucet. Remember this, because simply replacing the aerator can be an easy (and cheap!) way of fixing water pressure in your kitchen. If you want to jump to this solution, check out this great product choice here.
Hard Water
Hard water refers to water with high mineral content.
Hard water fits into one of three classifications based on milligrams per liter (mg/L):
Supplies You’ll Need To Fix Water Pressure In Kitchen
Needle Nose Pliers
One of the most important tools you will need to fix the water pressure in your kitchen is a pair of needle-nose pliers made to grip the tiny components in your faucet.
Screwdriver
If you need to remove the faucet to access the cartridge, you will need a screwdriver. You will need small screwdrivers that can handle small screws.
How To Fix Water Pressure In Kitchen (5 Steps)
Follow these simple tips to resolve low water pressure problems.
Step 1: Identify Source of the Problem
You can take multiple preliminary measures to help you identify the source of the problem.
Start by checking the different faucets around your house. If the problem only affects your kitchen sink faucet and not the pressure in your bathroom sink or shower head, you know that it isn’t a problem with the municipal water supply distribution but your kitchen faucet in particular. This is why many households install a special kitchen faucet that can increase water pressure on demand.
You should also check both the hot and cold water. If the problem affects the hot water and warm water at multiple locations throughout your home, the problem may be with your water heater. Low hot water pressure may mean sediment buildup developing at your hot water heater.
Finally, check the sprayer (if applicable) to see if it also has reduced water pressure. A sprayer has a unique water line. If the problem affects both the sprayer and the faucet, you know you have a deep clogged drain.
Step 2: Check Your Aerator
Remove the aerator from your faucet using needle nose pliers.
With the aerator removed, check the water pressure to see if removing the aerator resolved the issue. If it does, you have located the problem.
You can start by cleaning the aerator with hot water or white vinegar. You can also replace the aerator.
There are a ton of great kitchen faucet aerators on Amazon, and these are very inexpensive. Some even give you “sprayer” flexibility and are easy to install. Check out this one.
Step 3: Replace Your Cartridge
If the problem wasn’t the aerator, it may be the cartridge.
Start by turning off the water to your kitchen faucet at the shut-off valve. You should also ensure that the shut-off valve wasn’t somewhat closed, causing the water pressure problem.
Deeper in the faucet, you will need to remove the shut-off valve handle using your screwdriver. You will also need to remove the screw cap and screw that holds the faucet into place.
Remove the cartridge and replace it with a new cartridge.
Step 4: Check For a Deep Pinhole Leak
If you still have poor water pressure at this point, you should look for a pinhole leak somewhere in your plumbing system.
To identify a leak, start by turning off the water and watching the water meter to ensure that it remains consistent. If it drops after a couple of hours, it’s a sign of a problem.
Step 5: Call a Plumber
To identify the location of a leak, you will need to call a plumber.
A plumber can identify the leak and create a plan with you from there. If you have a slab leak, it can decrease water pressure throughout your entire house but also to faucets that are “downstream” to its location. You may also need to enlist the assistance of a contractor, as these are difficult to locate on your own.
Final Thoughts on How to Fix Water Pressure in Kitchen Sink
A low water pressure problem can create a serious inconvenience. You need to determine whether you have a clog somewhere in your water supply line or if you have a water leak. Once you resolve the issue with proper drain cleaning or leak repair, you will have good pressure again.
FAQs For How To Fix Water Pressure In Kitchen
How do I fix the water pressure in my kitchen sink?
