A weak water stream can happen at any moment, and the slow stream of water can make washing dishes a difficult chore. Without your normal water pressure, washing your hands or filling up a pot can take forever. At Lutz Plumbing, we have the experience you want when it comes to diagnosing what is wrong with your kitchen sink. If you have low pressure in your kitchen sink, it’s time to check over our list of potential problems to see if you can fix the problem yourself. Low pressure in your kitchen sink can be as simple as sediment clogging the aerator, or a clog in your main intake water supply. The professionals at Lutz Plumbing are ready to handle your plumbing problem 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is no reason to wait to call for service when you have a weak water stream in your home.
The Pro’s Diagnostic Checklist: Start Here
If you turn on your faucet and discover a weak water stream, understand that the problem can be a quick fix if you know what to look for. Although low water pressure is startling, the issue can be localized to the faucet you have just turned on. If the low water pressure is throughout your home, there is a bigger issue going on. A professional will take a look at your plumbing system, diagnose the problem, and come up with a solution to repair the problem.
Step 1: Check the Aerator
The aerator is a small device that attaches to the end of your faucet, mixing air into your water stream. The aerator creates a smoother flow of water, but minerals and sediment can build up and cause a clog. If you have a weak water stream, first take the aerator off the end of the faucet to see if there is any sediment inside. Clean out the aerator screen, and put it back on the faucet. If the aerator was clogged, your water pressure should be normal again. Sediment looks like small pieces of rock, and this builds up over time in your aerator. If the water continues to have a weak water flow, it’s time to investigate the situation further. It should be easy to twist the aerator back onto your faucet once you clean it out.
Step 2: Inspect the Pull-Down Sprayer Hose
If you have a more modern faucet that includes a pull-down sprayer hose, the issue with a low water stream could be caused by a kink in the hose itself. Sometimes the weight inside the pull-down sprayer hose can get caught, restricting the flow of water through the hose. Try pulling the hose all the way out and look for any kinks. If you still have low water flow, you may need to replace the existing sprayer hose. When you aren’t sure how to change out the sprayer hose yourself, a plumber can handle this for you.
Step 3: Check the Shut-Off Valves
Sometimes the hot and cold valves under the sink can get bumped, causing them to partially close. Look under your sink for the hot and cold water valves to make sure they are open completely. The valves are generally beneath the base of the sink, connected to the pipes that supply water to your sink. If you aren’t sure which way to turn the valves, turning them either way isn’t going to cause damage. Turn the valve until there is resistance to see if the valve is open all the way.
When the Problem Is Deeper in the Lines
A slow water stream can be caused by an issue that is deeper in your pipes than a simple clogged aerator or kinked hose. Once you have tried cleaning the aerator, looked for kinks in the hose, and turned the water on all the way, it’s time for a professional to take a closer look at your plumbing problem. There are times when mineral deposits can build up in your water lines, eventually causing a clog in the system. Tree roots can also cause problems with your water lines, growing into the pipes and causing a blockage. If the issue is a clog deep in your plumbing system, a plumber will need to address the issue for you.
A Clogged Cartridge
The cartridge within your faucet can become clogged over time. The cartridge is a small part inside the faucet that acts as a valve, controlling the water flow and temperature. This is how you get the right temperature water, as the valve will open and close, mixing hot and cold water to obtain the correct water temperature. If you aren’t sure how to take apart your faucet, replacing a faucet cartridge is a common problem that we handle for our customers. If you have low water pressure, a clogged cartridge may be the problem. Sediment gets into the cartridge slowly, and eventually causes the cartridge to stop working. If you don’t have the tools you need to change out the cartridge, a plumber can complete this work for you easily.
Clogged Supply Lines
There are flexible lines that connect the pipes to the faucet. The lines can become clogged, especially when you have an older home. If the low water pressure is just in one sink of your home, the problem is usually localized to that area. If there is a clog in the flexible lines that go to your faucet, a plumber can fix this problem for you. You can try to take off the supply lines yourself, but this often requires tools that you may not have lying around the home. While some clogs are easy to fix, others are deeper in your system and harder to reach.
A Whole-House Pressure Issue
Take a look around your home and try out other faucets to see if you have a weak water stream. If you notice that more than one faucet isn’t working properly, the problem is more widespread than an issue with one faucet. Low water pressure throughout your home is an issue that needs to be addressed by a professional. Once you notice you have low water pressure in a number of areas, call for a plumber to come and fix the problem for you.
When You Have Low Water Pressure
If you suddenly have a weak water stream, the first step is to check the aerator to see if it is clogged with debris. If the aerator is fine, take a look at the sprayer hose to make sure it isn’t kinked. If the water is still flowing slowly, find the hot and cold water valves below your sink. Test to see that the valves are in the fully open position. Look around your home and test a number of faucets to see if the issue is more systemic. You may have a problem with the water pressure throughout your home, and you can test this by trying various faucets throughout the home.
Call the Professionals at Lutz Plumbing Today
Once you have tried to solve the problem of a slow flowing water faucet yourself without success, it’s time to get the help you deserve. If you’ve gone through the checklist and still have a weak flow, the problem is likely inside the faucet or the supply lines. Don’t risk causing a leak. Call the experienced team at Lutz Plumbing for a quick and reliable repair.