Freshening yourself with a slow water flow can ruin a good mood.
We totally understand that. But before you call a plumber, you may want to fix it yourself.
What causes low water pressure in bathroom sinks?
Faucet aerators often get jammed because of mineral deposits and accumulated dirt. It becomes super frustrating. Flow restrictors can reduce the water flow too. Although quite rare, sometimes shut-off valves can be half-opened. Plus there are clogged cartridges that you may need to worry about.
Anyway, that was a quick sneak peek of the entire discussion. We’ve explored each of the problems and provided the necessary solutions for them.
Let’s get started!
Bathroom Sinks Water Pressure Problems & Solutions
Dealing with low water pressure is a very common problem. It’s super frustrating too. But there can be multiple possible problems that require different approaches.
Although disassembling a faucet is always an option. But it’s not always necessary. That’s why you’ve to root out the possible reason and take the necessary steps.
Otherwise, you’ll end with the same problems again.
Jammed Aerator Clogs the Faucet
An aerator is a safety net that stops dirt and minerals. It’s a meshy metal net. There are two purposes of a faucet aerator.
One of them involves making the water flow suitable for you. The other one is to stop dirt and debris from reaching the sink.
That’s why using one of them can significantly result in getting clearer water. But they get jammed over time.
Solution: Detach & Clean the Aerator
Mineral deposits are often what cause the jamming. That’s why it’s best to remove them. Luckily, they are super easy.
Most aerators can be opened with bare hands. Turn it counterclockwise and it should come off. If it isn’t coming off, use a crescent wrench.
Be sure to wrap the wrench with a towel to avoid scratching the faucet. Run some water through it and it’ll completely clean the aerator. But to remove a lime buildup, you’ll need to take some extra steps.
You can also just replace the old aerator with a new one. That way, you don’t have to deal with a dirty aerator.
To help you with that, we’ve listed our recommended picks-
| Aerator 1 | |
| Aerator 2 |
You can now choose whichever you want and get started!
Flow Restrictors Cause Low Water Flow
Flow restrictors can be found in any modern faucet. A flow restrictor cuts the water flow down by a massive 30%. This saves a lot of water- approximately 700 gallons per year.
Despite having countless benefits, it has some negatives too. Households way above the main supply line might not get a decent flow speed. Because it’s harder for water to move upwards.
Solution 1: Remove the Flow Restrictor
Water flow speed cannot be compromised. It’s better to get it removed entirely. To start this fix you’re going to need some tools first.
Here’s a list of the tools you’re going to need-
- Flathead or Philip Screwdriver
- Rubber-strap Wrench
- Clothes
Turn off the water supply first to drain your faucet. Plug the sink afterward to avoid losing any screws.
There should be a faucet aerator on the flow restrictor. Take it off by rotating it counterclockwise. Use a wrench if you’re struggling to open the aerator.
This will expose the flow restrictor completely. They can be taken out with bare hands. If it’s screwed, use a Philip screwdriver to unscrew that first. If it’s stuck but not screwed, use any plier you want to.
These screws can often get stripped due to usage. Slight improvisation makes the removal of stripped screws quite easy.
Solution 2: Make the Restrictor Holes Bigger
There is a middle ground and it’s completely up to you. If you like some of the benefits, keep the restrictor. Just improve the water flow at the same time.
To do so, take a screwdriver and scratch the restrictor holes to make it bigger. A knife can also be used to take apart some of the plastic.
Place the flow restrictor and the aerator back in their place. Run the water and test the flow. Keep adjusting till you find the right speed.
Water Shut-off Valves Are Partially Closed
We keep a lot of bottles and other objects in the sink cabinet. There’s a chance that a slight collision may have altered the valve position. Or it could be that it was left half-opened, half-closed accidentally.
Solution: Inspect the Shut-off Valves
Get a flashlight and take out anything that’s in the sink cabinet. Check what direction the valves are facing afterward.
In some households, it might be really tough to reach the valves. Always remember to improvise and adapt to your situation.
When you have reached the valves, give them a turn counterclockwise. This should fix the problem.
Sometimes, the shut-off valves can keep spinning. If that happens, prepare yourself for a bigger fix. Check if the valves are loose or not as well.
Clogged Faucet Cartridge Can Jeopardize the Pressure
Faucet cartridges are located inside the faucet. Due to mineral buildup or water stains, it can get clogged.
Solution: Replace the Faucet Cartridge
Turn off the water supply and drain the faucet before you attempt this fix. Turn the faucet handle counterclockwise if it’s a widespread faucet.
But if it’s a quarter-wash faucet, use the flathead screwdriver. This way you can take off the lid. Without the lid you’ll see a screw underneath. Use a Philip screwdriver to take it off.
You can now see the cartridge with O-ring and a retainer nut. Take the crescent wrench and use it to unscrew the nut. Grab the cartridge now and pull it off. If it seems stuck, use a plier instead.
Clean the build-up if you want to re-use it. Although we’ll suggest replacing it with a brand new one.
Speaking of cartridges, we’ve picked the best ones for you-
| Cartridge 1 | |
| Cartridge 2 |
Feel free to choose whichever you like better and get the old one replaced!
These were some of the frequently occurring problems that many people face. If these didn’t fix the problem, it’s likely to be the supply line issue.
In that case, give your nearest plumber a call for a quick inspection.
FAQs
Question: Why is my sink water pressure suddenly low?
Answer: It’s likely to be a clogged aerator or a faulty cartridge. Shut-off valves can also reduce the pressure. It can also be a pressure-reducing valve problem.
Question: Can a plumber increase water pressure?
Answer: Plumbers are the experts when it comes to sinks, faucets, and drains. Hiring them sometimes can be expensive. But you can always be confident that the work will be done without any problem.
Question: How do I test my water pressure?
Answer: To test the water pressure by yourself, you’ll need a pressure gauge. Simply hook it up with a faucet and turn off all plumbing fixtures. You’re looking for a value between 30 to 80 psi.
Take Away
That was everything we could provide on low water pressure in the bathroom sink. We hope we were able to answer as much as we could to help you out.
Finally, best of luck from us and have a nice day!