Low Water Pressure at Your Kitchen Sink

Several things may run through your mind when you’re in the kitchen trying to rinse the dishes or make coffee, and your faucet has no water pressure. Is there a broken water main in the neighborhood? Or has the city shut off the water for repairs? If you try another faucet in the washrooms and the water pressure is fine, you need to reach out to Mr. Rooter Plumbing for plumbing repair service. Once you realize that the problem isn’t the water pressure but your faucet, hiring a plumber can help mitigate further damage. You might have a blocked cartridge or a clogged aerator if you’re experiencing low water pressure at only one faucet, like the kitchen sink.

How to Clean a Sink’s Aerator

Homeowners with hard water are likely to experience mineral build-up, but it can happen even if you have soft water flowing into your home. Whether your water is soft or hard, the mineral build-up is the likely culprit behind clogged aerators, and a plumber can ensure the aerator is clean and in tiptop condition. An aerator is the mesh screen located at the tip of your outlet. To fix your aerator, you’ll need a psi gauge, a towel, and possibly a set of faucet pliers.

Start by unscrewing the aerator from the faucet using the faucet pliers to remove it. Although most come off by hand, a pair of pliers comes in handy if it doesn’t budge. If you must use pliers, also use the towel to protect the aerator from damage if you have to reinstall it.

Once removing the mesh screen, use the psi gauge to check the water pressure. Your water pressure should be between 45 and 55 psi. If the pressure registers as normal, you know a clogged aerator is a problem. If your pressure is still low, your sink’s cartridge is damaged and needs to be replaced.

How to Replace a Cartridge

If your aerator is clean and still experiencing low water pressure, we recommend checking the cartridge. Your sink’s cartridge is found deeper within the faucet, near the cold and hot valves. To replace the cartridge, you’ll need a psi gauge, a hex key wrench, and a couple of plastic bags to keep loose parts together.

Disassemble the cartridge by turning off the water to the faucet using the two shut-off valves beneath the sink. Once the water is off, use a hex key wrench to remove the faucet handle, a screw cap, and a screw used to hold down the handle. Once you have removed the damaged cartridge, take it to the local hardware store, and see if they have a match for your sink.

When the cartridge has been installed, and the faucet is reassembled, use the psi gauge to check for water pressure before hiring a professional plumber. Contact us today at Mr. Rooter Plumbing for quality plumbing repair service at competitive market prices. Our experts use cutting-edge tools and equipment for exceptional plumbing and enhanced customer experience.