The most common problem homeowners experience with their kitchen faucet is low water pressure, which can be caused a variety of different factors. In order to repair a faucet with low water pressure, you must first identify the source and scope of the problem. Once you isolate the source of the problem, fixing a kitchen faucet with low water pressure is usually something you can DIY without calling in for professional backup.
Step One: Identify the Scope
First order of business is to determine whether your whole house is experiencing low water pressure, or whether the problem is isolated to your kitchen faucet.
Turn on other faucets around the house to test for low water pressure. If it seems to be a general problem, you will need to call in a plumbing professional because there’s a larger repair on hand. If the problem seems isolated to one faucet, proceed to Step Two.
Step Two: Identify the Source
Low faucet water pressure is most often caused by clogs, pipe corrosion, or pressure issues at the main water source.
Blockage can be located in the faucet head, or in the pipes themselves. To identify the culprit, first unscrew the aerator screen at the end of the faucet spout and look for any sediment that may be blocking the flow of water.
Inspecting your pipes will require you to open up an access point to your piping. Unscrew the riser and back up the fitting to protect the pipe. With a bucket placed below to catch water flow, turn on the water and assess the water pressure that comes out of the pipe.
Step Three: Troubleshoot
If you find blockage in the faucet aerator or faucet head, disassemble it and soak the parts in a solution of warm water mixed with vinegar to clean out any sediment or blockage.
Replace the parts and turn on the faucet to check if water pressure has been restored. If the flow still seems slow, the problem probably lies with the piping.
If the pipe test outlined in Step Two suggests that the problem is originating within the pipes or at the water source, it’s time to call a plumber. The solution may involve re-piping sections of your home plumbing system.
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