Every time you get up in the morning and turn on the faucet in your bathroom sink, you expect a nice rush of water. If, instead, you’re met with a slow flow of water, washing your face, brushing your teeth, and even washing your hands becomes difficult and quite frustrating.
Whether the water is trickling out or just weaker than usual, low water pressure can be annoying and an indication of more serious issues. There are many reasons why your home could have low water pressure, and isolating it to one faucet certainly narrows the possible causes. Identifying the reasons behind a slow water stream in your faucet is the first step toward making the necessary repairs.
Common Causes of a Slow Flow
Shut-Off Valves
As simple as this may sound, sometimes slow water flow can be attributed directly to a shut-off valve that isn’t completely open.
- Locate the shut-off valves generally found underneath most sinks.
- Turn the knob counter-clockwise as much as you can.
If a partially shut-off valve is the cause, your water pressure will increase.
Blockages
If your valves are open all the way, and you’re still experiencing slow water flow, the cause might be a clog.
The first place to check is the aerator. The aerator is the cap on your faucet where
the water comes out. It has a screen and, over time, sediment gets caught in it, which impedes water flow.
Remove the aerator and clean it thoroughly.
Some manufacturers recommend soaking the aerator in vinegar for a few hours, but you should be able to do a good enough cleaning job without the vinegar. If there was a lot of dirt in the aerator, your water pressure will improve significantly.
If you’ve cleaned the aerator and the water flow is still weak, there may be a clog in the pipes.
As time goes by, mineral deposits build up in your pipes. This will slow water flow and, eventually, may even cause your pipes to burst. Now is a good time to call in a professional plumber.
Leaks
A leak somewhere in your piping will definitely cause decreased water pressure. A clever way to see if your pipes are leaking is to check your water meter, then turn off all the water in your house (the main water valve should be in your basement). Wait a couple of hours, and then check your water meter again.
If the reading has increased, you probably have a leak. You should contact a professional plumber.
Water Heater
If you notice the cold-water pressure is fine but the hot-water pressure is low, then the issue may be with your water heater.
Check the valves on the water heater to ensure they’re open all the way and see if this improves your hot water flow. If not, the issue may be more serious.
The water lines leading into the water heater may have leaks or blockages, or the water heater itself may need replacing. If so, contact a professional plumber.
We know it’s frustrating when something doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to, and low water pressure in your bathroom sink can be a huge pain. The good news is there may be an easy fix to get you back and running with a strong flow of water.
If you’ve done all you can as a homeowner to remedy the problem, and it still exists, a professional plumber will help to assess the issue and promptly fix it.
We Help Homeowners
Flader Plumbing and Heating is uniquely suited to assist you in determining the solution that best fits your home and family’s needs. We’ve been serving your neighbors and our community for over 100 years and 4 generations.
The Flader Difference
Only Flader Plumbing and Heating delivers:
- The most responsive service. We’re here for you 24/7.
- Personal attention from certified and licensed technicians.
- The most dependable equipment and parts.
- Money-saving maintenance agreements.
- 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
Reliability
Flader Plumbing and Heating recommends equipment, models, and brands proven to have the fewest problems and service calls. We specialize in:
Comprehensive Services
Whether you need a new furnace, sump pump. or are looking to regain a strong flow of water in your bathroom sink, we are knowledgeable and provide expert service. Our professional technicians arrive on time, listen to your concerns, and answer your questions. They will recommend the right solution and deliver as promised.
Flader technicians average 15 years of experience and are EPA certified.
Expert service, quality parts, and satisfaction guaranteed. There is no reason to compromise. Call us at 847-491-6980.
