Has the water pressure in your kitchen sink significantly declined? The problem may be a major one that requires a plumber, or it may be a minor problem that you can fix yourself.
The first thing you need to check to determine if it’s a major or minor problem is whether the pressure has dropped all throughout your house or just in your kitchen. If the pressure has dropped everywhere, you likely have old pipes that need to be replaced. If it’s just in your kitchen, however, here are the steps you can take to fix the low water pressure problem yourself:
1. Clean the Aerator Screen
Most kitchen faucets have a small device on the end of the spout called an aerator screen. This screen increases water pressure while also reducing water use. If the screen gets clogged with sediment, it can reduce the amount of water that flows through your kitchen faucet. Here’s how to clean the aerator screen:
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First, unscrew the aerator screen from the kitchen faucet and disassemble it. Keep track of how the screen is assembled as you take it apart so that you can properly put it back together.
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Place the parts in a mixture of warm water and vinegar. Either let the parts soak for a while or use an old toothbrush to scrub off the sediment.
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Replace the aerator screen and run the water.
2. Clean the Cartridge
The thing that stops water flow when the faucet is in the off position and allows water flow when it’s in the on position is the cartridge. If you cleaned the aerator screen and your kitchen faucet’s water pressure still hasn’t improved, try cleaning the cartridge next. To do so, follow these steps:
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Turn off the kitchen sink’s supply valves.
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Unscrew the faucet from its base and remove the handle. Underneath, you’ll find the cartridge.
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Remove the cartridge by pulling straight up. If you can’t do it by hand, you can get a cartridge-removing tool from a home improvement store.
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Soak the cartridge in vinegar and warm water or scrub it.
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If there are numerous scratches on the cartridge or you replace the cartridge and water flow doesn’t improve, you may need to replace the cartridge.
3. Call a Plumber
If you’ve cleaned the aerator screen and replaced the cartridge but your kitchen faucet still has low water pressure, it’s time to call in a plumber. At this point, it’s a problem that’s likely too complicated for the average DIYer to fix. These problems include:
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Mineral deposits on the valves and valve seats that need to be cleaned off
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Valves that need replacing
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Supply hoses that need replacing
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Pipes that need replacing
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Supply lines that need to be flushed
While you can attempt to do these things yourself, it’s a good idea to get a professional to take care of them for you.
When the water pressure in your kitchen faucet drops and you need a plumber, call HEB Plumbing & Sprinkler. They have the experience and tools needed to make sure that your sink gets fixed correctly and efficiently.