What Causes Low Water Pressure In Your Kitchen?

Plumber in a kitchen fixing a stopped up sink drain

Have you ever turned on the faucet in your kitchen and found the water pressure lacking? If so, that lack of water pressure could have negative consequences on your laundry, washing, and the overall operations of your bathroom fixtures. To understand why your water pressure is lacking, it’s important to do some research. Our experts at HEB Plumbing & Sprinkler are glad to provide further information for our clients. Please read on to discover more. 

Whole House Or Just A Kitchen Issue? 

When you experience low water pressure in your kitchen, it’s vital to know whether or not it is simply a problem with that one location. Try to isolate the problem by turning on faucets in your bathroom. If your bathroom has low water pressure as well, then your entire home could be experiencing problems from a leak or a clog. However, if the problem is only located in the kitchen then there are a few potential causes for the issue. 

1. Clogged Aerator 

Do you know what an aerator is? The aerator is the part of the faucet that is located at the very end of the spout. This is the last part of the sink faucet that the water touches before it comes out into the air or your hands. Aerators usually get clogged due to mineral deposit buildup. The good news is, however, that they are fairly easy to clean.

How to Clean a Clogged Aerator 

If you need to clean a clogged aerator, then the first thing that you need to do is unscrew the aerator and remove the metal or plastic screen inside. These parts can be cleaned with a toothbrush or a small parts brush, which can be found at your local hardware store. The next thing that you will want to do is to soak the aerator in vinegar overnight. You can rinse it off with water the next morning. Next, reattach the aerator and then check your kitchen sink’s water pressure. If that was actually the culprit then the water pressure should be back to normal.

2. Dirty or Damaged Cartridge 

A plumber tightens a leaky faucet with a pipe wrench

After you have cleaned the aerator, the next step is to check for the source of the low water pressure is the sink cartridge. The sink cartridge is usually located in the handle but if you have a sink with two handles, one for hot and one for cold, then these are called compression faucets and will work differently. To clean the cartridge, you will first need to pop off the top of the handle or remove it altogether. After that, you can unscrew the cartridge cover inside. Once you have achieved this step, you will be able to remove the cartridge itself and inspect it. The cartridge will be cylinder-shaped and usually made of brass or plastic. 

If for some reason there is minor debris inside the cartridge, then you should be able to clean it out fairly easily. However, if there is a lot of debris, it is highly recommended that you think about replacing the cartridge altogether. There should also be a rubber O-ring seal that will need to be inspected. Make sure that it isn’t deteriorated or damaged because if it is damaged, it will need to be replaced.

3. An Issue With The Water Supply Line 

If the issue hasn’t been resolved by investigating and cleaning the aerator and the sink cartridge, then the problem could be with the water supply line. To check the water supply line, you will want to shut off the water connection under the sink. After that, you will need to disconnect one of the supply lines and then dump the remaining water inside the line into a bucket. After that, you will keep the line aimed at the bucket and turn the water back on. 

  • If water comes out of the line, then you will know that the water line isn’t the problem. 
  • If no water comes out of the line, then there will be an issue with the supply line and it is time to call your local, trusted plumber. 

4. Hot Water Heater Issue 

Interestingly enough, there is a specific kind of issue that occurs when low water pressure is related to your hot water heater, and only happens while the hot water is on. This problem is usually caused by sediment build up in the home’s water heater. To solve this particular issue, you will want to call a licensed and insured plumber. They will be able to easily remove the sediment buildup using the best tools and materials available. Flushing the water heater will remove the sediment build-up. To prevent this problem from happening in the future, make sure to schedule an appointment to flush your water heater annually, or every six months depending on usage. 

Need Help With Your Kitchen’s Water Pressure? 

HEB Plumbing and Sprinkler is a local North Texas company with a well-known and trusted reputation providing plumbing and sprinkler services in our Bedford, Hurst, Euless, and surrounding cities since 1980. We specialize in all aspects of plumbing repair and sewer and drain cleaning for residential and commercial properties. You can give us a call to schedule an appointment today!

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