Low Water Pressure in Kitchen Faucet

[howaboutme]

Hi all,

Any advice on where to trouble shoot?

I have this faucet. It has been loosing pressure for a while. At first, I detached the head unit (not sure what it's called) and clean the parts/screen, etc. They weren't even dirty as I didn't see any sediment. That really didn't help. Should I look at replacing the valve?

Thanks!

 

[GReynolds929]

Is the loss the same whether cod or hot is used?

 

[howaboutme]

Is the loss the same whether cod or hot is used?

It is both.

 

[GReynolds929]

If it is the same flow whether cold or hot or bot are used it is usually the aerator. Replace with new. If that doesn't fix there could be a blockage internally. If there is a spray hose, where the hose connects there are check valves that can get clogged.

 

[howaboutme]

If it is the same flow whether cold or hot or bot are used it is usually the aerator. Replace with new. If that doesn't fix there could be a blockage internally. If there is a spray hose, where the hose connects there are check valves that can get clogged.

Thank you.

Just to clarify, is #1 or #2 the aerator?



Just to be efficient, is this the connection point? What would be replaced?



Thanks!

 

[bkspero]

Please allow me to join this conversation. With your faucet the item to clean is #1 in your drawing, above. It should comprise a rubber washer (outer ring) enclosing a fairly fine mesh metal screen. That screen is there to catch particles before they get into the spray head (item #2). So make certain that the screen in item #1 is completely clean.

If the screen is already clean, or if the flow doesn't improve after your clean it, I would test the flow with items #1 and #2 removed. If the flow is still low with them removed, then the problem is in or just downstream of the mixing valve (below where the handle attaches to the faucet) and not in items 1 or 2. It will be more complicated to fix (and beyond my level of assistance).

If, however, flow rate still low with a clean screen (#1) and spray head (#2) attached, but high with items 1 and 2 removed, then the problem is in the spray head. I would try removing it and submerging it in a glass of vinegar overnight to soften and possibly remove any lime deposits. Move it around in the vinegar to try to allow any internal air to escape. In the morning reassemble the parts and run water through them in both the spray and single stream modes to rinse out the vinegar and flush loosened deposits. If that fixed it, good. If not, then I'd replace item #2.

Good luck.

 

[howaboutme]

Please allow me to join this conversation. With your faucet the item to clean is #1 in your drawing, above. It should comprise a rubber washer (outer ring) enclosing a fairly fine mesh metal screen. That screen is there to catch particles before they get into the spray head (item #2). So make certain that the screen in item #1 is completely clean.

If the screen is already clean, or if the flow doesn't improve after your clean it, I would test the flow with items #1 and #2 removed. If the flow is still low with them removed, then the problem is in or just downstream of the mixing valve (below where the handle attaches to the faucet) and not in items 1 or 2. It will be more complicated to fix (and beyond my level of assistance).

If, however, flow rate still low with a clean screen (#1) and spray head (#2) attached, but high with items 1 and 2 removed, then the problem is in the spray head. I would try removing it and submerging it in a glass of vinegar overnight to soften and possibly remove any lime deposits. Move it around in the vinegar to try to allow any internal air to escape. In the morning reassemble the parts and run water through them in both the spray and single stream modes to rinse out the vinegar and flush loosened deposits. If that fixed it, good. If not, then I'd replace item #2.

Good luck.

Thank you! I'll give it a shot.

 

[howaboutme]

Ok cleaned 1 and 2. It turns out, #1 is embedded into the pray nozzle assembly and can't be taken out so what I did was spray water into the spray nozzle so water can come back out to clean it. I also realized I cannot take #2 out from the assembly either, at least it's not obvious to me how it's done.

I did try the water out w/ the spray nozzle out. It's a strong, directed flow from the hose, not very wide at all. I do believe that the water pressure is slightly better after I cleaned #1 and #2 but it's not a significant improvement. I'm not wondering if the pressure from this particular faucet is just too low. It's not a premium faucet as I bought it as a result of an emergency situation.

 

[bkspero]

When I was referring to item #2, I meant the whole spray head assembly and not just the rubber end with the holes in it. I circled it in blue below. As far as I know you can't remove the rubber end with the holes from the spray head without damaging the rubber parts.

Was the screen (item #1) visibly free of grit and other dirt after you backflushed the spray head to clean the screen? If so, then you got it clean. If not, I'd try putting the inlet end of the spray head (with item #1 attached) into the hose of a vacuum cleaner and see if you can vacuum out the dirt.

If I understand you correctly, when you tested the flow with items 1 and 2 removed, there was strong flow out of the faucet hose. So, since flow is weak with items 1 and 2 installed, and strong without them installed, then the problem must be in items 1 or 2 (or both). And since the screen (item 1) is now clean, then #1 can't be the problem. It must be that the spray head (item #2) is restricting flow. So I would first do the overnight vinegar rinse (taking care to make sure that vinegar displaces the air inside of the spray head (item #2) to see if the problem is hard water deposits.

If that doesn't fix the flow, then it's time to replace the spray head. If you do a Google search for "kitchen faucet spray head" you will get many hits. If you know what type threads your current spray head has to connect to the hose, then you can buy just that type for less than $12. If you don't know the threads you need, for ca. $18 you can buy a replacement heads with a dozen or so adapters that will connect the spray head to just about any hose.

Alternatively, if you can contact the manufacturer of the faucet and the faucet is still under warranty, then contact them and see if they'll send you a replacement for free under the warranty.