Why Am I Getting Low Water Pressure Out of My New Faucet?

A new faucet adds a new look to your kitchen or bathroom. However, there are times when the new faucet does not perform the way you expect. Low water pressure in a new faucet often dampens your satisfaction after you complete this project. If this happens to you, check several things first before you uninstall and return the faucet.

Before you check anything else, be sure your faucet is not a low flow, water saver faucet. These faucets have special cartridges that cut down the rate of water flow from the spout. The advantage is water savings and lower water bills. If you are not interested in this type of advantage, these faucets are not necessary. You will experience a lower rate of flow out of the spout, while your plumbing and home water pressure has not changed. The only fix is to return the faucet for a non-water-saving model.

When installing a new faucet, sometimes debris is lodged inside of the cartridge holes. This debris may be from soldering, filing or installing new piping. The cartridge holes allow water through the cartridge into the spout. If the holes clog or partially clog a drop in water pressure is experienced. To fix this, remove the faucet handle and bonnet nut. Take the cartridge out and flush it with clean water. Always flush the supply hoses into a bucket before connecting them to the faucet, so that this is less likely to happen.

If the aerator is blocked with dirt, debris or plastic shavings it will not produce a high rate of water flow. This is common in some faucets recently installed, especially if the aerator screen is exposed to debris before threading it onto the spout. Dirt sent into the faucet and through the cartridge holes may lodge in the aerator as well. To remove this dirt, unscrew the aerator from the end of the faucet, wash out the screen and then screw it back into place.

The water supply valves underneath the faucet are another potential culprit to low water flow rates. If they are partially turned on, the faucet is not receiving full water pressure. Therefore the faucet produces a lower flow rate. Simply open the cabinet and turn the valves counterclockwise. If they turn and then stop, the valves were not open completely. If you cannot turn them at all, they are already completely open.