Kitchen Faucet Repair: Fix Low Water Pressure

A common problem in a kitchen faucet is low water pressure. With proper troubleshooting, most basic repairs to the kitchen faucet are quite easy. However, there may be times when you will need to call in a professional.

Low water pressure in a kitchen faucet can be caused by clogs, corrosion in the pipes, or delivery pressure from the main source. Identifying the problem will help greatly in the actual repair.

Step 1 - Identify the Problem

There are several ways to determine why your kitchen faucet has low water pressure.

Clogged Spout -Check out the aerator screen on the faucet spout by unscrewing it from the end of the faucet.

Low Delivery -If you have remodeled your home and increased living space and more water fixtures, you may have decreased your water pressure. If you install a large main pipe your low water pressure problem should be eliminated.

Pressure Problems in Entire House -If you have low water pressure throughout your home, consider adding a supplemental booster pump in the line to keep the water pressure up.

Kitchen Faucet Only -If you find that the low pressure is only in the kitchen faucet, there is a simple remedy to fixing your low water problem.

Step 2 - Unscrew Aerator Screen

On most faucets there is a small screen at the end of the faucet spout where the water comes out. Unscrew the spout by hand and remove blockage in the screen. You may find sediment clogging the screen. Removing sediment is a minor cleaning project.

Unscrew the aerator. Disassemble it and soak the parts in a warm water and vinegar solution. If the blockage remains, use a commercial calcium remover. Dry the spout, reassemble and reattach to the faucet.

Once it is replaced, turn on the faucet to see if pressure has been restored.

Step 3 - Remove Faucet Head

In some faucets the cartridge that moves to allow the water to pass through can malfunction, or stick. You can easily replace it or free it from items keeping it closed. To remove the faucet head, find the screw under the faucet spout. Unscrew it and lift off the faucet head. The cartridge should be open. If not, remove the thin housing. Clean everything of debris or calcium. Replace the thin housing and faucet head

Try the faucet again to see if the water is flowing as it should.

Step 4 – Solve an In Line Problem

You may have a build up in the pipe leading to the faucet. If the piping is galvanized piping, it is most likely built up with debris from age and sediment. You can remove or unscrew the riser from the basement with pipe wrenches. Back up the fitting in the basement so the fitting or pipe attached does not break. With a bucket and another person, turn the water on and see what the pressure is from the pipe that you just removed. If it’s good, replace the piece that you just removed. If it’s not good, a repipe of the entire home will be needed.

TIP: Our plumbing consultant Mark Vander Sande adds, “If you are in a crawl space you can do the same thing, but you might need a second person to unscrew the riser from under the kitchen sink. Of course both of these are only if the piping is coming up through the floor of the cabinet. If the pipes are coming out of the wall the wall needs to be opened to remove the 90 degree elbow to remove the riser.”