How to Increase Water Pressure in Kitchen Sink
A kitchen sink is a core workplace in all our homes. We wash our dishes there and do lots of rinsing whenever needed. However, a problem that often occurs in kitchen sinks is that water pressure suddenly decreases. And any of us who have worked in the kitchen know that water pressure is everything here.
So, how to increase water pressure in kitchen sink? In this article, I will give you all the details on how to fix this issue and the possible reasons behind it. You can easily solve it at home. To know it all, keep reading below:
How to increase water pressure in kitchen sink
If the water pressure in your kitchen sink is not adequate or has significantly reduced, then there is some issue with the faucet or the pipes. This section is divided into two parts. First, we will find out the possible reasons behind the lower water pressure in the kitchen sink, and next, we will see some possible solutions.
Reasons behind low water pressure in kitchen sink
When the kitchen faucet has low pressure, it becomes tough to do any sort of work. With low pressure, you cannot wash the dishes properly, and no work will reach its maximum efficiency. So, why does low pressure in kitchen faucets occur?
Well, there could be several reasons behind it. Let’s take a look at them below:
Loose Shut Off Valve
Underneath every faucet is a shut-off valve that controls the flow of water in the faucet. You usually rotate it, and it works like a meter controlling the water flow. The shut-off valve may sometimes get set in the wrong settings, and your pressure in the faucet may decrease.
Clogged Aerator
An aerator is a mesh screen that sits at the tip of your spout. It helps break down the water into tiny streams and oxidize it to make it softer. It also filters any dirt or grime from the water. An aerator plays a significant role in maintaining the pressure of the water, thanks to its mesh openings.
However, aerators get dirty over time due to filtering so much water. The minerals and dirt from the water get collected at the aerator and block water flow. This, in return, decreases the water pressure. It is one of the most frequent reasons you may have a low-pressure kitchen faucet.
Blockage in the faucet
The next reason that may be behind your faucet having low pressure is a blockage in the faucet line itself. Many times, dirt from the main line gets stuck in the faucet pipe, due to which water will get obstructed on its way out. As a result, you will see the water pressure in the kitchen sink fall significantly.
Clogged cartridge sink
Cartridges stay at the back of the spout and allow water to flow through the faucet. They are an integral part of a kitchen faucet. Water will not be allowed through the faucet without a cartridge working properly. So, if the cartridge is worn out or blocked, there will be low pressure since enough water is not able to flow through.
Leak in the pipes
Another thing that often happens is there may be a leak in one of your water line pipes. The leak could be anywhere, from under the sink to the internal lines inside the wall. In such situations, if water constantly leaks, it cannot pick up the desired pressure.
Moreover, leaks may also damage walls due to the water getting absorbed. Sometimes, leaks happen due to worn-out cartridges as well.
So, this is another reason your kitchen faucet may be getting low water pressure. It may be facing water leaking issues, which is preventing appropriate pressure.
Regulator issues
All water lines have a regulator attached to them at the entrance where water enters the water lines of your house to avoid gush of water rushing in. But pressure may be affected if this regulator malfunctions or overdoes its work. Hence, this is another reason why water pressure may be hampered in the kitchen faucet and the whole house.
How to fix water pressure in kitchen sink
Faucet water pressure is a big hassle as it puts a halt to almost all our work in the kitchen. You must fix it ASAP and bring the pressure back. Many people panic and want to call a plumber immediately. But as you may have read the possible reasons behind this problem above, you might be understanding how some of them are very insignificant issues.
You can easily identify the reason by yourself at home. If the reason behind low pressure is too big, only then call a plumber. Therefore, below are some ways on how to fix low water pressure in the kitchen sink:
Check shut off valve
As I mentioned above, a silly reason, like the shut-off valve being closed, could be one of the reasons the sink water pressure is low. So, the first and foremost thing you should do while troubleshooting low water pressure is check the shut-off valves. Rotate them to the right (generally) to ensure that water flow is not hindered at this point.
Clean aerator
The next troubleshooting you need to do is clean the aerators. Aerators are often the cause behind low pressure as they get minerals accumulated over time. In that case, you need to remove the aerator from the spout by rotating it. Make sure to give it a bit of force at first.
Aerators are small pieces with a mesh screen. Cleaning them is super easy. Just dip them in some hot water first and then clean them with a brush. Next, soak them overnight in vinegar. All the dirt should come loose. Then, reattach the aerator to the spout and check the water pressure. This is one way to increase water pressure in the sink.
If water pressure is still not highly improved, it means that the problem might not have been in the aerator. It is now time to move on to bigger fixes.
Check the cartridge
The next thing that might happen if the low water pressure in the kitchen sink, not the aerator, is that the cartridge is blocked or dirty. In that case, you must disassemble the faucet to find the cartridge. Ensure that the shut-off valve has been turned off first to stop any water flow.
The cartridge is a small tube-shaped object sitting at the back of the spout. Use a wrench to take off the valve handle and screw cap; you will then find the cartridge.
You can try cleaning the cartridge using hot water and vinegar. However, if it is too worn out, you may want to replace it. The cartridge and the aerator are two things in a faucet that needs to be periodically changed.
Clear the faucet line
Another way to increase kitchen sink water pressure is to clean the entire faucet line. To do so, you need to back-flush the faucet pipes to drain them properly. Rusting can block the lines, so it is better to back flush it every once in a while.
The task is very easy. Start with closing the shut-off valves first. Then, disassemble the faucet using pliers and wrenches. Next, place a bucket under the water line and open the shut-off valve. Water will flow through, flushing through the line and removing blockages from rust.
Check for leaks and regulator malfunction
Lastly, if none of those mentioned above solutions works, check through your whole water line to see if any part of it is leaking. The area will appear wet. Another thing you can do is check the pressure regulator at the main line to ensure it is working fine.
Final Words
Having low water pressure in the kitchen sink is a headache no one wants to incur. The sooner it is fixed, the better. That’s why I have given you all the solutions on how to increase water pressure in kitchen sink.
However, keep in mind that all these solutions were based on remedies you can do by yourself. If the problem is still not fixed, it may be rooted somewhere bigger, and you may need to call a plumber.
